Indian hockey’s new shirt, newdeal, new dreams
Odisha state to sponsor Indian hockey teams for the next five years
India’s hockey teams, men and women, will be sponsored by the Odisha government for five years, it was announced on Thursday. The state will host the Men’s Hockey World Cup in capital Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16.
Hockey India’s deal with Odisha is estimated at around ~150 crore. Though exact figures could not be confirmed, people familiar with the sponsorship said it could be between three to four times of what Sahara was paying. Sahara’s 2012-17 deal was valued at ~42.50 crore.
“Hockey in Odisha is more than a sport; it’s a way of life in our tribal regions where children learn to walk with hockey sticks. No wonder Odisha has produced some of India’s finest hockey players. This is a first where a state government will support and nurture the national teams,” Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, said.
Odisha hosted the 2014 Champions Trophy, where India came fourth. Orissa is one of India’s top hockey states, and many from its tribal belt have played for India.
International hockey federation (FIH) president, Narinder Batra, said: “It is very important for states to be involved in sports. Odisha have adopted hockey and as far as I know they would also like to sponsor archery, weightlifting as well as some disciplines of athletics.
Abhijit Sarkar, head of Corporate Communications, Sahara India Pariwar, said: “Sahara India has withdrawn sponsorship on mutual consent with Hockey India. But we will continue to be associated with hockey, probably as co-sponsor of the World Cup but after consultations with Odisha Government.”
CHALLENGING 2018
Indian men’s team coach, Sjoerd Marijne, who took over in September, guided the side in transition to bronze at the HWL Final in December and runner-up finish to Belgium in a four-nation event.
Marijne’s task is cut out with the CWG, Asian Games and World Cup all lined up this year.
“It’s nice to win medals but it’s important to stay critical of yourself,” he said on Thursday on the sidelines of the jersey unveiling programme. “I want to win the Asian Games and World Cup. Those are my two objectives,” he
said. “If you win the Asian Games, you become the first team in the world to qualify for the Olympics. So, you get almost two years to prepare and that would be perfect. That’s what we are aiming for,” he said.