It seems that all hell’s fury has befallen poor Sania Mirza who seems to be on a losing streak just ahead of her marriage with former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik. A list of horrific events in Sania’s life that have kept the media circles engaged doesn’t seem to end, this being the latest. Cadbury Bournvita has decided not to renew its contract with the country’s top female tennis player.
“Our contract with Sania Mirza was signed for a period of one year that expired last month and we do not intend to renew the contract,” a Cadbury India spokesman said. He, however, refrained from making any particular comment regarding the company’s decision.
Anothe sponsor who had a thing to say about sponsorships with the player was Adidas. “Unfortunately, Sania has not been able to play consistently for the last 16 months which has resulted in a drop in rankings,” said Andreas Gellner, MD Adidas India, which signed a multiple-year endorsement contract with the tennis player in 2008.
But the facts still remain that all this negative publicity has definitely maligned her image as an icon.
The only Indian tennis star and sportswoman to command Rs 1-2 crore per endorsement was already struggling with her brand image when her wedding was announced, with the number of brands she representing falling along her tennis ranking.
The tennis star who once boasted of endorsing brands like Tata Indicom, Hyundai Getz, Lotto Sport Italia, Sprite, GVK Industries, Sahara India, Atlas Cycles and Tata Tea is struggling to save the few she has left, TVS scooty being one.
Adding to her woes, a deal regarding a plot of land she was supposed to buy off Eastern Metropolitan bypass has been canned.
According to Asok Bhattacharya minister of Urban development and municipal affairs the state government had allotted a five-cottah plot of land to Sania on her request, but had now been compelled to cancel the allotment, as she had not paid for it within the stipulated time.
The reason cited by the minister was Sania’s mother being not keen in acquiring the land.
Whatever one might say but the light seems really distant at the end of this tunnel.
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