The Indian Rugby Football Union, the governing body for the sport in the country, has got into a three-year sponsorship deal for an undisclosed amount with "Societe Generale" to support the national teams as well as undertake grass-root development.
The title sponsorship deal would see the largest European financial service group supporting the seniors, juniors and women's national rugby sevens' teams, it was announced at a press conference here today.
The partnership is part of Societe Generale's "Cityzenship Programme" aiming to support underprivileged communities through education and sports in all countries where it operates, it was announced.
Leading sports apparel brand, Puma, would be the official kit partner for the national team.
Mahesh Mathai, secretary general of IRFU, highlighted the good growth of the sport in the country over the last few years and said the number of players playing the sport - including women - and the number of schools has increased multi-fold over the last four years.
Aga Hussain, VP of Asia Rugby, said confidently that if such financial help continued to pour, India - currently ranked 12th out of 32 countries in Asia - would break into the top five in the continent next five years.
"If the sport is backed this way I am confident we will be in the top five in Asia and break into the top 50 in the world," he said.
