Spice launches quiz contest for cricket buffs

As the nation waits for the India-West Indies cricket series to be held from May to July, Spice Telecom has launched a cricket-based contest called "Spice Super Sixes Challenge Quiz". Cricketer Harbhajan Singh launched the contest.

To take part in the quiz, participants need to dial 555 and answer simple cricket-based questions to be able to take home the "Weekly Man of the Match Award". Prizes include autographed cricket memorabilia and Nokia handsets.

The quiz contest has 6 levels and at each level the question's degree of difficulty is increased. Subscribers can change the degree of difficulty of the question and score 1, 2, 3 run for simple questions or opt for a more difficult question by hitting a boundary. The Super Six Cricket Challenge Quiz can be played at Rs 6 per minute.

Speaking to Business Standard, Harbhajan Singh said almost all the members of the Indian cricket team were endorsing various products. "But there is nothing wrong in doing that as long as you are performing well. At present, I am brand ambassador for six companies and I have been endorsing for Spice Telecom for the last five years."

At the launch, 20 children from the Red Cross Deaf and Dumb School were invited by Spice Telecom to meet Harbhajan Singh. Singh gave cricketing tips to the children who were in the age group of 5 and 15 years.

Sachin Tendulkar, also called "brand Sachin" in the marketing world, is the richest cricketer in the world. Sachin started his career with a Johnson and Johnson's advertisement of Band Aid and in 1995, had a five year contract worth $6 million with Bangalore based company WorldTel.

Later in 2001, the same company signed him for another five year (2000-2005) marketing deal worth $20 million, making him the highest paid cricketer of all times. On May 3,2006, talent management agency ICONIX signed him for a three year contract worth Rs 180 crore "" one of the biggest marketing contracts in the cricket world.

Singh also said that though many of his colleagues are opening up restaurants all over the world, he has no plans for any such venture. "Right now I don't have any such plans," he said.

At the launch, 20 children from the Red Cross Deaf and Dumb School were invited by Spice Telecom to meet Harbhajan Singh. Singh gave cricketing tips to the children who were in the age group of 5 and 15 years.

Sidharth Mehra, Senior Manager-Marketing, Spice Telecom, said "Spice Telecom has always made a conscious effort to reach out to the underprivileged sections of our society. By organizing today's sporting event for these special children, we hope to be able to give them a unique opportunity to meet their cricket hero."

Speaking on the occasion, Harbhajan Singh said "Cricket is a fascinating game that can now be played not just on the ground but on Spice mobile as well. The Super Sixes Challenge Quiz will actually test the knowledge of cricket enthusiasts across all age groups. I am pleased to launch this game, and unveil the good luck graffiti message board today which provides the people of Ludhiana a unique platform to wish the Indian team the very best of luck for the upcoming India-West Indies cricket series."