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MUMBAI:
The Hockey India League is going strength to strength, Close
on the heels of Sahara Group acquiring Lucknow franchise,
the Hockey India League has roped in another major business
house. Jaypee Group (Jaiprakash Associates) has taken the
Punjab franchise of the fledgling league that will debut in
January 2013.
The
high-profile Hockey India League, which has secured a window
on the International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar, will
see six teams play on a home-and-away basis. The 33-match
series, which will run from 5 January to 13 February, will
be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.
This
is Jaypee's second big investment in sports apart from the
Jaypee Sports City which hosted the Indian Grand Prix. The
company has appointed Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador
for its flagship cement brand Jaypee Cement.
Hockey
India Secretary-General and HIL Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra
said, "When we have such groups as Sahara India and JAL
as the first two HIL franchises, we not only feel encouraged
that Indian hockey will get a fillip but also believe players
from around the world will love competing in the tournament."
JAL
executive chairman Manoj Gaur said he is thrilled that JAL
is a HIL franchise. "By participating in HIL, the Jaypee
Group has taken a definite step forward on way to help Indian
hockey regain glory. The Punjab franchise that we have taken
will get the Group's full backing and we will be able to raise
a world class team.
"We
will arrange best of coaching and other facilities for our
players so that they could be trained to not only lift the
HIL Trophy but also contribute in India winning major international
tournaments."
He
further added, "Our participation in HIL is in a way
also redemption of our Founder Chairman Shri Jaiprakash Gaur's
dream of grooming a battalion of young hockey players who
will, in turn, help India dominate international hockey for
a long time to come."
The
six franchises will be selected from a pool of 12 cities that
have infrastructure and facilities to host a match.
Earlier,
Sahara Group had announced that it is taking franchise rights
of Lucknow team. Apart from being the sponsor of Indian hockey
team, Sahara has also been a global partner of the International
Hockey Federation.
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