The Burman family, promoters of FMCG major Dabur India, has taken up the Mumbai franchise of the Hockey India League (HIL), making it the fifth of the six teams which will compete in the event starting in January.
The western megapolis has now joined Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi and Punjab franchises in the Hockey India League.
“We are pleased to welcome the Burman family into our fold as HIL Mumbai franchise,” said Hockey India secretary general and HIL chairman 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 franchises, it will develop a competitive squad,” he added.
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 in hockey and the Burman family is delighted to be able to contribute to the evolution of the sport in our country,” said Burman.
“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,” he 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.
Jaiprakash Associates has bought the Punjab team, Wave Group has taken up the Delhi team, Sahara Group has got Lucknow and Patel-Uniexcel Group for Ranchi.
The inaugural edition of the six-team HIL will be played on a home and away basis from January 5 to February 3, 2013, and has secured a window in the International Hockey Federation calendar.
The 33 matches, including three play-off games, will be broadcast live on Star Sports.