Media release article

Oxigen services India unveiled as official T20 team sponsor for the South African proteas

The Proteas T20 squad will walk onto the field against Bangladesh on 05 July 2015 in Dhaka, with a new brand backing the team. Blue Label Telecoms has announced today that its Indian associate, Oxigen, will be the brand behind the Proteas for all T20 matches in the upcoming season.

The Oxigen Proteas will feature in 12 T20 matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, India, England and Australia before next year’s ICC World Twenty 20 Championships in India.

“Although this is no new sponsor, we are excited by the value of introducing Oxigen, an Indian brand, to our suite of sponsors,” says Cricket South Africa’s Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “The Proteas are a globally recognised brand with huge support in India and this exciting development by Blue Label Telecoms is both unique and a first for Cricket South Africa. Having an international based company as our team sponsor is a pioneering step.”

“We were always keen to exploit opportunities in the global market as the Proteas brand is a highly valued brand.” Lorgat concluded.

Mark Levy, joint CEO of Blue Label Telecoms comments, “We enjoy a long standing relationship with Cricket South Africa, spanning many years, through our sponsorship of the Proteas. Oxigen is a brand born and bred in India, and we expect that Oxigen’s sponsorship of the Proteas T20 team will resonate closely with the Indian community, considering the massive impact the brand has in the country.”

Pramod Saxena, Chairman and Managing Director of Oxigen, adds, “This is a milestone moment for Oxigen. India has a deep rooted history with South Africa in its fight for freedom, which has resulted in significant relationships encompassing brotherhood and camaraderie. Eleven years ago, when Oxigen entered into a joint venture with Blue Label Telecoms, we created history in the prepaid industry in India by becoming market leaders,” he explains. “Today, the sponsorship of Cricket South Africa by Oxigen carries the same promise of setting a new trend, whereby local brands will take part in global sponsorships and enhance the ‘espirit de corps’ at an international level.”

Oxigen is India’s first and largest payment solutions provider. It has been a key player in pioneering payment solutions in the country through its innovative offerings such as the Oxigen Wallet. Its offerings include facilitating financial services, such as money transfer services, recharges and bill payments. Oxigen currently has over 130 000 touch points across India, does 600 million transactions per annum, and acts on behalf of 150 million unique users.

The Oxigen Proteas depart for Bangladesh later this evening. Their first of two T20 International matches against Bangladesh will be played in Dhaka on 05 July 2015.