Hockey India League seems to get better with every passing day. After edition of a new franchisee and fresh names in the team owners list, the administrators have managed to attract another big name from the world of cricket.
Days after Mahendra Singh Dhoni purchased stakes in the Ranchi Rays team, his teammate and star India cricketer Suresh Raina is the latest addition in the world of hockey.
The 27-year old batsman has joined the U.P. Wizards team as its co-owner.
“It is a memorable day for me because today I am immensely proud to be associated with the national sport of our country, hockey, by joining UP Wizards. On this occasion, I would also like to take the opportunity of congratulating the Indian hockey team for bringing laurels to our nation by winning gold in the Asian games after a span of sixteen years and qualifying directly to the Olympics,” the player was quoted saying.
“Uttar Pradesh is a land of world class hockey gems like Major Dhyan Chand, K.D. Singh Babu and many more to follow and since my sports college days in Lucknow, I have a lot of friends who are hockey players and this further boosts up my association with hockey. I will make all possible endeavours and bring all sorts of support required for uplifting the game of hockey in the region,” he added.
With so many big names in the kitty, the next edition of the Hockey India League should hopefully draw more people in stadiums.