Dabang Mumbai News

The Burman family, promoters of the consumer conglomerate Dabur India Ltd, has bought the Mumbai franchise of the prestigious Hockey India League (HIL) that aims to give hockey a new profile. The western megapolis joins Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi and Punjab 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. “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 Ltd. 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,” Mr Burman said.

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 January 5 to February 3, 2013 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.

The Hockey India League has sparked an excitement among the players and coaches around the world. 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.