The Hindu: It’s now Coal India-HIL

Coal India Limited (CIL) was, on Wednesday, named the new title sponsor of the Hockey India League (HIL) for a three-year term, replacing Hero MotoCorp.

The announcement was made after CIL’s Board cleared the decks for the project entailing Rs 14.73 crore as sponsorship payment.

The sponsorship fee for 2017 and 2018 will be Rs. 14 crore and Rs. 15 crore respectively.

The ‘Coal India-Hockey India League’ will commence on January 18, 2016, and end on February 21.

A total of 34 matches will be played across six cities involving the six franchises.

Labelling it a “big ticket event”, CIL chairman Sutirtha Bhattacharya said: “Hockey has always been popular in the country, and we were once at the pinnacle of the game globally.

“We want to encourage sports, especially hockey, and stoke the interest for the cause of the youth.”

Hockey India president Narinder Batra said: “It is a proud moment for the Hockey India League to have a public sector unit taking over the event as title sponsor.

“The league has been of immense help for us in unearthing talent and this has reflected in the performances of the junior and senior teams in recent times.”

CIL came on board after Hero’s three-year contract with HIL expired after the 2015 season.