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It hasn’t happened before – a Hockey India League (HIL) franchise coming forward to be the title sponsor of a domestic hockey tournament. The HIL – touted as one of the world’s best hockey leagues – will be soon into its fourth edition and with every passing year, franchises are looking to extend their involvement beyond ‘just participation’ in the league.
Mumbai HIL franchise – Dabang Mumbai – owned by DoIT Sports Management India Pvt. Ltd – has decided to enhance their hockey ‘josh’ by signing up as the title sponsor of the 50th All-India Mumbai Gold Cup Hockey Tournament that commences at the MHA Stadium in Mumbai from December 7. Indeed, it is heartwarming to see a HIL franchise offering sponsorship to a domestic tournament, which has a rich history attached to it.
The tournament will be called Dabang Mumbai 50th Mumbai Gold Cup and fittingly, a strong hockey brand has come into association with the tournament, which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year.
“We are always keen to do our bit in the development of hockey in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat. We have been talking to MHA in this regard and associating ourselves with Mumbai Gold Cup is a step in that direction,” says DoIT Sports Management India Founder and Director Radha Kapoor.
The title sponsorship of the 50th All-India Mumbai Gold Cup Hockey Tournament is only the beginning of a long road DoIT Sports Management India wants to tread for development of hockey in our region and the country.
“We will be focusing on development of hockey in Mumbai but also in others parts too. We want to involve ourselves in the hockey programme of neighbouring pockets like Gujarat, Saurashtra and Goa, but it will take some time before we foray into these areas,” adds Ms. Kapoor, who is also the owner of the Delhi Franchise Dabang Delhi, who competes in the high-profile Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League.
Hockey in Mumbai will get a new leash of life with the latest initiative of Dabang Mumbai, for the state that hasn’t been having too many representations in the national side. “Some of our Dabang Mumbai players like Tyron Pereira (ONGC), Harmanpreet Singh (BPCL), Affan Yousuf (Central Railways), Nilakanta Sharma (Western Railways), Roshan Minz (IOC) and Vikas Sharma (IOC) will be playing in the Mumbai Gold Cup. We hope our sponsorship initiative will not just help Mumbai hockey but also Indian hockey at large,” says Ms. Kapoor.
One hopes other HIL franchises will take a cue from Dabang Mumbai and start sponsoring domestic tournaments across the country.
