Hockey India wants sponsorship money hiked

By Mihir Vasavda

Hockey India (HI) wants a five-fold hike in the sponsorship amount from the national team sponsor, Sahara, a demand that has put renewal of the contract under a cloud. The existing deal that expires on July 15 is approximately worth Rs.3 crore, which includes the men’s and women’s senior as well as junior national teams.

Sources have said that HI has asked the corporate giants to increase the amount up to Rs.15-17 crore. “HI has said that the national team has several commitments lined up in the next four to five years. Also, India will be hosting several high profile international tournaments. While Sahara have agreed to increase the sponsorship amount, the five-fold hike is not acceptable to them,” the source said.

HI secretary general Narendra Batra confirmed that they have ‘requested Sahara to revalue the sponsorship amount.’ He, however, refused to disclose the amount they have asked for.

“We are currently reviewing the deal and the discussions are on with the (Sahara) officials. We will try to finalise on the highest amount as possible for development of hockey,” Batra said.

Head of Sahara’s corporate communications, Abhijit Sarkar, said they are waiting for a ‘written proposal’ from HI.

“The sponsorship amount for any deal is decided as per the market value. Sponsorship money is not for running the association; it is for players and coaching. That valuation has to be given by HI. So far, we have not got any written proposal from HI — everything has been verbal. Unless that happens, the formal negotiations cannot begin,” Sarkar said, adding that Sahara hold the first right to refusal to the proposal that will be made by HI.

Sahara had entered into an eight-year sponsorship contract with the erstwhile Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) on July 15, 2003. However, the deal was reviewed after IHF was suspended in 2008 and a fresh deal was signed with HI in 2009 which was valued at Rs.3 crore approximately until 2011.

Batra, too, said the first preference will be given to Sahara to renew their deal. “Our relationship with them has been long and steady. So, of course, they will be getting first preference. If it does not work out, then we will look for other options,” he said, adding that several business conglomerates have shown interest in sponsoring the national team.