Harbhajan sells rights to licence his name

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Harbhajan sells rights to licence his name

NEW DELHI: Ace cricketer Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday sold licensing rights to his name as a brand to Delhi-based License India for an undisclosed Harbhajan Singh displays various merchandise while launching of brand 'Harbhajan Singh' with License India.

The deal, which has been dubbed as the first in the history of Indian cricket, could see the off-spinner's name being used in various types of merchandise and even in chain of restaurants as 'Bhajji Da Dhaba'.

"Licensing is a $191 billion business worldwide, although it is still nascent in India. Harbhajan is one of the most recognised faces of Indian cricket and we have signed an agreement with him to licence his brand name," License India president Gaurav Marya said.

He said the company would explore avenues to design and develop the brand 'Harbhajan' with established firms in the field of merchandise, manufacturing and retail, besides franchise operators.

"It is very important to have one's own brand and having merchandise and a restaurant chain with my own name bring me closer to my fans," Harbhajan Singh said.

Asked about future plans with his brand, Singh said: "There will be lot of surprises, not just in apparels and accessories but in other segments also."

A brand owner would help during post-retirement years "when established brands do not ask for frequent endorsements," Singh quipped in a lighter vein.

Singh is the first cricketer to have signed a licensing agreement with License India. It had earlier entered into agreements with management guru Shiv Khera and the children's book series Diamond Comics.

"We have started the process to identify prospective partners and franchise operators for brand Harbhajan Singh. We are hopeful that the first products would roll out into the market by end of 2009," License India business head Anupama Bindra said.

She, however, refused to give details regarding the contract signed with the cricketer.

Source: TOI

'BCCI should've a word with Dhoni and Bhajji'

Aggrieved and annoyed former cricketers have criticised Harbhajan Singh and MS Dhoni for missing the Padma awards ceremony. The overwhelming feeling
is that they have let the country down.

Some reactions:

Bishan Singh Bedi, former India captain: It's an unpardonable offence. The general practice is that the home ministry sends out letter asking the recipients if they are willing to accept the award or not and accordingly they are shortlisted.

In this case, I am sure both Dhoni and Harbhajan agreed to accept the award and so their names figured in the list. Later on, they behaved as if nothing happened.

They disgraced one of the highest honours. You can't buy this with money, especially since some Olympic medal winners have been a deprived lot when it comes to such recognitions.

It's really shameful. BCCI should have a word with the cricketers. Surprisingly, there is no word from BCCI either.

Maninder Singh, former Indian spinner: It's indeed very unfortunate and sad that these boys didn't attend the function. Harbhajan treated the whole issue as if it was a big joke by saying that next time he would be available two days in advance.

It's BCCI's responsibilty to educate these players. They should see how someone like Sachin Tendulkar behaves and learn from him. A great cricketer has to lead a life after cricket and money is not everything.

I feel BCCI should be a little more pro-active when it comes to such issues.

Ashok Malhotra, former India batsman: It seems commercial aspect have become more important for these players. You can't be so highhanded. Both Harbhajan and Dhoni have let the cricketing community down.

Arun Lal, former India batsman: I don't know the exact story from the cricketers' side but whatever has happened is not good for the game.

Source: TOI

Bhajji too dependent on 'doosra': Atherton

London: Former England captain Mike Atherton feels Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has become a lesser force due to over-dependence on his 'doosra' which is affecting his ability to drift and spin the ball.

India won the first Test against England in Chennai, but Harbhajan was largely ineffective on a crumbling wicket and Atherton feels the reason is his over-use of 'doosra'.

"Even though Harbhajan was in form, bowling at a ground he knows well and at batsmen short of match practice, he made little impression," Atherton wrote in his column for 'The Times'.

"I am not entirely sure that Harbhajan is the bowler he used to be, now that an overextended use of the doosra -- the ball that spins to the off -- has affected his ability to drift and spin his stock ball, the off spinner," he added.

Atherton, however, took a sympathetic view of England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and said his below-par show was a result of lack of match practice and the pressure of too much expectations.

"Although Panesar failed abjectly to do his bit on the final day, bowling 27 wicketless overs, comparing match figures does not show him in the poor light one may imagine. Amit Mishra, the leg spinner, bowled 51 overs, taking four for 165; Harbhajan bowled 68 overs, taking four for 187; Panesar bowled 46 overs, taking three for 170. The difference is not so marked," he pointed out.

Atherton said England should stop expecting Panesar to be a Shane Warne and let him focus on his strengths.

"He is no Shane Warne, never has been, never will be. He is, however, a bloody good finger spinner and still the best England have by a distance. One bad game does not change that," he explained.

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