PVP Ventures is here to stay: Prasad Potluri

Hyderabad: 'PVP Ventures has been in the forefront of diverse spheres and has carved a niche for itself by emerging as the leader in south India in the world of Entertainment. Having forayed into sports, we hope to replicate our business successes to equally praiseworthy levels'.

These words coming from Prasad V Potluri, Chairman and Managing Director of PVP Ventures, are not far-fetched because they stem from a self-confidence that gains ground by the manner he has used business modules to turn around several of his ventures.

He is in the news today because of the coup he has staged by hitting the jackpot in the inaugural edition of the Indian Badminton League (IBL) where it owns the Hyderabad Franchisee, Hyderabad Hotshots.

Getting the prized scalp of Saina Nehwal, the first Icon player to go under the hammer in Monday's players' auction in New Delhi, PVP announced its arrival with a bang.

'Pretty obviously we wanted her in our kitty. After all, not only is she from Hyderabad but also is the vibrant face of Indian badminton across the globe. We wanted to enter the arena in a big way and we have achieved it.

I think we have a well-knit composition that can go all the way to the pinnacle. Taufik Hidayat, Ajay Jayaram, V Shem Goh, Tarun Kona, Pradnya Gadre, Tanongsak S, Kanthi Visalakshi, Subhankar Dey and Khim Wae Lin are all proven materials,' reasons Prasad.

Getting featured in the sports columns is apparently something they have been experiencing only recently. The infamous run up to the ouster of Deccan Chargers and the vain bid made by PVP Ventures, whose fortunes he has been steering since September 2006, was actually the talking point of the cricketing extravaganza, the Indian Premier League (IPL).

On why he chose badminton, he reasons that 'badminton is the happening sport in India after cricket. We wanted to cash in on the opportunity that came our way. It makes sense to be associated with a sport enjoying a rich culture in the country.'

Even in his hour of glory, the 42-year-old businessman is pragmatic when it comes to assessing the potential of the teams in IBL contention.

'It would only be fair on our part to go about with a practical bent of mind. You see, badminton is full of uncertainties and stunning reversals to the script is the order of the day.

IBL is a level-playing field where a player's performance on a given day decides the outcome. In addition to our trump card, Saina, we have others who have the wherewithal to carry forward her good work. We will wait and see how it all goes about,' was the down-to-earth admission by Prasad, who is also a patron of LV Prasad Eye Institute.

Although PVP Ventures failed in its maiden attempt to jump onto the IPL bandwagon, Prasad remains hopeful that things could change in the not too distant future.

'Yes, we will be there for the next auction. Our association with sports will be a long-term investment,' is the avowed assertion by the man who means business.

For now it can be said that the loss of the sixth edition of IPL has been the path-breaking gain for IBL in its debut edition.