Tigers move in on MumbaiRichard Willingham, Canberra
The Age
August 14, 2012 RICHMOND'S bid to take football to the subcontinent will take a major step tomorrow when senior officials meet with Indian High Commissioner Biren Nanda and Australian politicians in Canberra.
The Tigers flagged they wanted to play a match in India last year and have been working to build a strong relationship with the Indian community in Victoria.
''The primary focus for us is very much local. It is really tapping into the Indian community that is growing here,'' chief executive Brendon Gale told The Age. ''I think having the Tiger as a logo, it is a very powerful secular symbol in India, it gives us an opportunity to go and have a conversation. Ultimately, I guess as demonstration of our commitment and our sincerity, we would love to take a game to India.''
Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid was announced last summer as the patron of the new Indian Tigers supporter group.
Gale and club legend Matthew Richardson (pictured) will lead the Tigers' delegation that will meet Mr Nanda, Trade Minister Craig Emerson, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's office, the Coalition's policy co-ordinator Andrew Robb and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials.
The group is in Canberra to launch ''Tigers on the Hill'', a parliamentary friendship group of Richmond-supporting MPs. The group, organised by federal Liberal MP and Tiger fanatic Dan Tehan, includes members from Labor, acting Speaker Anna Burke and Greens senator Richard Di Natale.
''Tiger politics transcends partisan politics,'' Gale said.
Richmond was in talks with fellow heavyweight Essendon last year, but the clubs could not come to an agreement over whether the game would be played before or after the season, with the Bombers preferring a post-season match.
The game is unlikely to be played next year with a pre-season exhibition match in 2014, at Mumbai's D.Y. Patil Stadium, the target. The 55,000 seat cricket ground, which has similar dimensions to Etihad Stadium, would probably host the match.
Gale said it could easily lead to a NAB Cup game and from there ''the sky was the limit''.
''I'm very passionate about the Asian region and our place in that region and the opportunities provided by the Asian Century. Financial, commercial, sport and particularly football can play a role in that and the Tiger brand and logo resonate throughout the region so who knows where it could take us,'' he said.
Greater Western Sydney have expressed interest in playing in India and yesterday said they would be more than happy to take part if Richmond was successful in securing a match. Richmond has been in talks with several businesses keen to expand into India to help support the match. Gale said there were significant financial hurdles and safety considerations to overcome.
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