Speaking with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi (second from right) at a sports innovation showcase in Auckland on Saturday are (from left) New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Virtual Eye production and commercial executive vice-president Ben Taylor, Mr Modi’s interpreter and Virtual Eye founder Sir Ian Taylor. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Dunedin sporting innovation was front and centre during the Indian prime minister’s historic trip to New Zealand. Sir Ian Taylor and his son Ben represented Dunedin-based sport graphics company Virtual Eye at a sport technology showcase during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip. As Virtual Eye’s production and commercial executive vice-president, Mr Taylor said the company was thrilled to be part of the showcase and it had been ‘‘surreal’’ to meet Mr Modi. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Mr Modi unveiled a new strategic partnership during Mr Modi’s visit to Auckland on Saturday — the first by an Indian leader in 40 years. As part of the showcase, which featured athletes such as Dame Lisa Carrington and Dame Valerie Adams, Virtual Eye highlighted the innovation New Zealand brought to its strategic sporting relationship with India, Mr Taylor said. It focused on examples of visualisation, broadcasting and adjudication of the company’s four key sports — cricket, sailing, golf and baseball. ‘‘[The showcase] was a collective effort to highlight what New Zealanders are really good at and it is innovating at the bleeding edge of innovation, especially when it comes to sport,’’ he said. Mr Taylor said he and Sir Ian discussed the similarities between Indian and New Zealand styles of doing business with Mr Modi. ‘‘You know, looking after your environment and your people and intergenerational business is a huge thing there — obviously, that’s what we have here,’’ Mr Taylor said. ‘‘We talked about this being a perfect opportunity for New Zealand innovation to meet Indian opportunity to scale and take on the world together.’’ Mr Modi appeared particularly interested in the application of sport technology given India’s bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. ‘‘He said if there’s anything we need, we just let him know,’’ ‘‘I think everyone was quite taken aback by that because ... I don’t think he throws away those kind of comments.’’ ‘‘A lot of our messaging was what he ... and prime minister Luxon had talked a lot about — similar values between the two countries,’’ Mr Taylor said. ‘‘It was probably resonating quite well ...’’ ruby.shaw@odt.co.nz
