The Mobile Premier League (MPL), a rapidly expanding gaming and esports company, has been named the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) new principal sponsor for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The IOA’s agreement with MPL is for one and a half years and will conclude on December 31st next year.

MPL Sports Foundation’s will serve as the Principal Partner for India’s contingent in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth and Asian Games. Further, MPL Sports has been appointed as the official kit partner for India’s contingents for both 2022 games. MPL Sports is also the official shirt sponsor of Indian cricket.

MPL Sports Foundation’s mission is to increase visibility and change India’s sports and esports scene by finding sportsmen from all facets of life and giving them opportunities to grow and display their abilities.

Shedding light on the association, IOA president Narinder Batra and secretary general Rajeev Mehta said in a joint statement, “We are delighted to inform you that the IOA has entered a sponsorship agreement with MPL Sports Foundation as the Principal Sponsor covering the Tokyo Olympic Games, 2022 Asian Games & Commonwealth Games.”

According to the announcement, MPL would pay the IOA a total of Rs. 8 crores under the terms and conditions of the partnership.

Commenting on the association, Sai Srinivas, MPL’s co-founder, and CEO, said: “India has the potential to become a global sports superpower. One of our goals with MPL Sports Foundation is to democratise opportunities in sports and esports for our vastly talented youth. We are honored to partner with IOA and hope that this will be a long-standing association. We look forward to working together to develop the future of sports in India.”

The IOA also announced that Amul, the world’s largest dairy company, has decided to support the Tokyo Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 8. “Amul, who has supported us in the previous games also, has come forward to support IOA for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Amul’s sponsorship is for Rs 1 crore for a period till December 31, 2021,” the IOA top officials said.