Narendra Modi was gifted a cricket jersey because of his love for the game
MUMBAI: India’s Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was gifted a cricket jersey during his recent trip to Ireland because he is a cricket-fan, according to Warren Deutrom, the Cricket Ireland CEO.
Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Dublin, he said, “we were contacted by the Taoiseach’s office, who asked whether we would be able to assist with presenting a gift to Prime Minister Modi, given that he was a well-known cricket fan”.
“Of course we were delighted to be asked to help. Cricket is probably Ireland’s most high-profile cultural export to India – indeed, after Ireland beat England in the World Cup in India in 2011, Minister Leo Varadkar (who was the Government representative that first met PM Modi earlier this week) visited India during the event and said that “the victory had raised Ireland’s profile as a nation in India immeasurably.”
“We selected the signed jersey that the Ireland team wore during the recent World T20 Qualifier co-hosted in Ireland for two reasons. First, the successful teams would be travelling to India for the main event in March next year. Second, the Irish team in that event was kindly sponsored by Shapoorji Pallonji Group and their logo is clearly visible on one side of the jersey”.
“Given these clear synergies between our two countries, it seemed a very apt gift for the Taoiseach to give to Prime Minister Modi”, he further added.
“We were aware that the occasion was a working lunch between the two leaders so we knew there was no time for Cricket Ireland to be involved. However, we were just pleased to have even a small part of their meeting”, Deutrom signed off.
