Vijay Mallya may sell RCB stake to escape debt trap

July 10, 2012

vijay-mallya

Bangalore, July 10: After the financial turbulence at Kingfisher Airlines, Chairman Vijay Mallya's United Spirits is looking at reducing its debt and bringing back the good times. It may even sell its stake in its Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challenges Bangalore (RCB).


Vijay Mallya's acquisition of the brand White & Mackay helped United Spirits reach the top of the global pyramid, but it came at a cost. Its debt has surpassed Rs 7,000 crore and the company is looking at monetising its non core assets to bring this down to manageable levels.


When the price is right, these assets could well include treasury stocks, a stake in United Breweries, and even a stake in its cricket franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore - all worth between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 crore.


Ashok Capoor, President & MD, USL, said, "We have non core assets we can monetise anytime - treasury stocks, UBL stocks, Royal Challengers. But we will not do any selling at this stage. We will only sell when the price and timing are right to bring our debt down in the future.


That's not all. After touching 120 million cases in volume sales last fiscal, USL is now shifting focus to margins. So the sales target 200 million cases by FY 16 is taking a back seat. USL will drive brands that will contribute to revenues, even if they don't add to the volumes initially.


Ashok Capoor said, "We are chasing value, brands that are more premium and the trend is also towards premiumisation, so with that agenda I don't think we will do 200 million cases by FY 16. It will be less than that."


The company is also hoping that input costs will stabilise this year, making its job much easier.


In 2011, the prices of key input elements, extra neutral alcohol or ena and glass, rose significantly, forcing USL to opt for an aggressive, higher-than-usual, 3.5 per cent price hike. But USL says both ena prices and glass availability are improving this year and as they say - every drop counts.



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Agencies
March 14,2020

Sydney, Mar 14: New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been placed under 24-hour isolation amid the fears of coronavirus after he reported a sore throat following the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series against Australia in Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which the hosts won by 71 runs.

"In accordance with recommended health protocols, Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24 hours after reporting a sore throat at the end of the first ODI," said New Zealand Cricket in a statement.

"Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined," it added.

The first ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee series was played in front of empty stands as the spectators were not allowed to be at SCG as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, Australian fast bowler, Kane Richardson was also tested for the coronavirus, after suffering from a sore throat on Thursday. That saw him left out of the squad for Friday's game but the test was negative.

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Agencies
July 30,2020

New Delhi Jul 30: After Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal's ban was reduced to 18 months, Danish Kaneria criticised Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) policies and said that the 'zero tolerance policy' applies only to him.

"Zero Tolerance policy only apply on Danish Kaneria not on others, can anybody answer the reason why I get life ban not others, Are policy applies only on cast, colour, and powerful background. I am Hindu and proud of it that's my background and my dharma," Kaneria tweeted.

Earlier on Wednesday, Akmal's three-year suspension was reduced to 18 months by an independent adjudicator, former Pakistan Supreme Court judge, Faqir Mohammad Khokhar.

On April 27, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel, Justice (retd) Fazal-e-Miran Chauhan, had banned the wicketkeeper-batsman for three years after finding him guilty of breaching the PCB's Anti-Corruption Code in two separate incidents.

Akmal, on May 19, filed an appeal against the three-year ban imposed on him, seeking a reduction in the duration of the sanction. He will remain suspended effectively from February 2020 till August 2021.

The batsman said he might appeal again to get the ban "reduced further".

"I am thankful to the judge for listening to my lawyers properly. I will decide about the remaining sentence and try to get it reduced further. For now I am not satisfied and will consult my lawyers and family how to take this ahead," ESPNcricinfo had quoted Akmal as saying.

"There are many players before me who made mistakes and just look at what they got and what I got. So all I say right now is thank you very much," he had added.

On the other hand, Kaneria was found guilty of spot-fixing while playing for English club Essex and was banned from the sport.

Earlier this month, Pakistan's cricket governing body 'advised' Kaneria to approach England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) if he wants to play domestic cricket after the cricketer had appealed to the PCB, seeking permission to play domestic cricket. 

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News Network
April 12,2020

New Delhi, Apr 12: As devotees across the world celebrate Easter today, former Sri Lanka skipper and current Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president Kumar Sangakkara on Sunday condoled the demise of people who lost their lives during last year's Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka and said someone must seek answers to the questions which still remain unresolved.

"A year on we all share the pain of the families grieving lives lost, we stand with you and for you. We remember. So many questions still unanswered, but answer them someone must," Sangakkara tweeted.

On April 21, 2019, multiple blasts ripped through Sri Lanka when the Christian community was celebrating Easter Sunday.
The explosions rattled churches and high-end hotels across the country, killing 258 people and injuring over 500.

A local terror group called National Thowheeth Jama'ath had claimed responsibility for the devastating attacks.

The island nation was put under a state of emergency for a period of four months from April to August.

The Sri Lankan police had then said that 293 suspects were arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday bombings in the island country in April.

This year, most of the devotees would be offering the prayers from their homes as mass gatherings have been suspended in most countries due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion on Good Friday. It also marks the culmination of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and penance.

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