New Delhi: State run power generation company NTPC was on Saturday named as the official partner for the Hockey World League (HWL) Final to be held in Raipur from November 27 to Deecember 6.
NTPC’s partnership is the third significant signing by Hockey India for the HWL Final this year after securing National Mineral Development Corporation as the principal partner and South Eastern Coalfields Limited as the first official partner for the year’s biggest international hockey event in the world.
This year the Indian men’s team along with Argentina, Great Britain, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Germany and the Netherlands will vie for top honours at the year’s biggest global field hockey event.
The Indian men’s team who have recently jumped two places in their world rankings to the sixth place, thanks to their impressive performance at the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand is expected to begin their campaign on a high.
“We welcome NTPC to the Hockey India family. NTPC Limited is India’s largest power company and its coming on board only ensures that the sport still enjoys enough interest in the corporate and public domain in India,” Hockey India Secretary General Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad said.
With NMDC as the principal partner and SECL and NTPC as official partners, I am confident that Raipur in the future will become an important destination for national and international hockey in India. I would also like to wish luck to the participating teams and hope to see some quality hockey on the field,” he added.
The Indian team will start its campaign against Argentina on November 27.
“NTPC is happy and proud to come on board as an official partner for the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015. NTPC strongly believes in youth development and sport is an integral way to help and promote the youth of India. We have long been associated with various sports in the past and partnering with the hockey is a step forward in his direction,” said AK Jha, CMD, NTPC.
PTI