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MUMBAI:
Hockey India's effort to build its fledging franchise based
Hockey league got a further boost with the Burman family,
promoters of the consumer conglomerate Dabur India, buying
the Mumbai franchise of the prestigious Hockey India League
(HIL).
The
western megapolis joins Delhi (Wave Group), Lucknow (Sahara),
Ranchi (Patel-Unixcel Group) and Punjab (Jaypee Group) as
the fifth team in the Hockey India League.
"We
are pleased to welcome the Burman family into our fold as
HIL Mumbai franchisee," said Hockey India Secretary-General
and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra. "We
are excited that the family behind one of India’s biggest
consumer powerhouses has come on board and are confident that,
like the other franchisees, it will develop a competitive
squad."
Dabur
Group Director Mohit Burman said the decision to take up the
HIL Mumbai franchise was an emotional one. He also clarified
that the investment in HIL has been made in personal capacity
by the Burman family and is in no way connected to Dabur Limited,
the listed entity.
"We
are pleased to be able to associate ourselves with the national
sport. Everyone knows the rich legacy that India boasts of
in hockey and the Burman family is delighted to be able to
contribute to the evolution of the sport in our country,"
he said.
"This
is a personal investment by the Burman family and is not connected
to Dabur India. The idea was not only to be an owner of a
Hockey team, but to be part of a larger canvas which will,
in future, play a big role in finding new talent that can
be groomed to play for India," Burman clarified.
Mohit
Burman, a Director on Dabur board, is one of the stakeholders
in Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab along with
Ness Wadia of Wadia Group, actress Priety Zinta, and Karan
Paul of Apeejay Surendra Group.
The
Burman Family is the promoter of one of the largest and the
oldest Indian consumer products company, Dabur India Ltd.
The family also has interests in Life Insurance, General Insurance,
Banking firms, Healthcare, besides Private Equity and Food
& Beverage Retail.
The
inaugural edition of the six-team Hockey India League will
be played on a home and away basis from 5 January to 3 February
and has been granted a window by the International Hockey
Federation (FIH). The 33 matches, including three play-off
games, will be broadcast live on Star Sports.
Nearly
100 overseas stars with rich international experience and
150 Indian players, including the entire Indian squad, have
signed up for the HIL Players’ Auction. As many as 30
coaches have expressed their interest in associating themselves
with the six teams.
Around
50 Indian players, including the entire Indian squad, have
signed up for the HIL Players’ Auction. As many as 30
coaches have expressed their interest in associating themselves
with the six teams.
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