Tripura government on Tuesday named the Indian cricket legend, Sourav Ganguly, as its new brand ambassador of tourism.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha in a tweet said that “It’s a matter of great pride that former captain of Indian cricket team Sourav Ganguly Ji has accepted our proposal to be the Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism. Had a telephonic conversation with him today. I am confident that Shri Ganguly Ji’s participation will definitely give an impetus to the state’s tourism sector.”

Earlier, on Tuesday Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury along with secretary of the department Uttam Kumar Chakma and director, Tapan Kumar Das met the legendary cricketer and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly at his Kolkata residence and urged him to represent Tripura Tourism as ‘brand ambassador’ and a proposal was formally shared.

Later, in the evening, the Chief Minister through his social media announced the decision of the state government.

After meeting with Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Ganguly said "I am ready; the fine prints will be fixed by tonight."

Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that the move is aimed at boosting tourism in the state and he believes that having a prominent figure like him as the brand ambassador will greatly benefit the tourism sector in Tripura.

He said that Tripura tourism needs a lot of promotion and proper branding to take it to the world and for that the government needs a popular brand ambassador who is known all over the world! “Who could be a more popular personality than our beloved Dada Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, to promote Tripura's tourism to the world?”

Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury along with top officials of the department on May 23 met the legendary cricketer and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguli at his Kolkata residence and urged him to represent Tripura Tourism as ‘brand ambassador’.

It may be recalled that the present state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has taken many steps to improve the hot tourist destination of the state and many projects have also been taken to improve the facilities around tourism spots to attract more and more tourists.