Sahara wishes good luck to Team India for Hockey World Cup
NEW DELHI: Official sponsor of the Indian hockey team, Sahara India hosted a dinner party to wish good luck to the home side for the upcoming World Cup starting from February 28.
In a glittering party, which was attended by Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, Sahara India chairman Subroto Roy asked the Indian team to play as a unit in the World Cup and make the nation proud.
“The biggest thing for a person is self motivation. If one can achieve this, he can conquer the world.
“My advice to the hockey team would be: If you want to do well as a team, respect one another in the side. For team unity, team motivation is a must. When you play well, you make us proud, you make the entire nation proud,” Roy said.
Roy also urged the media to give proper coverage to hockey and said, “If hockey gets its due coverage in media then it will not behind cricket.”
Speaking on the occasion, Kalmadi, also inspired the team and asked them to put their best foot forward.
“You all have to give your best. You have to play as a team. In World Cup, I want to see you play as a unit not as individual. This World Cup is a great opportunity to revive Indian hockey,” he said.
Kalmadi also heaped praise on the Sahara India chief Roy for supporting hockey and joked that Roy should be the Hockey India president.
“Mr Subroto Roy is doing so much for hockey. In times of crisis he has always come forward and supported us and I think he should get associated with the game. He should be the Hockey India president,” Kalmadi joked.
Roy, on his part, said he had no inclination to hold any official post but vowed to be around whenever the game needs his help.
“It is not mere sponsorship. It is my love for the game, which brings me to hockey. But I can’t take up any post in Hockey India. My support will always be there with hockey,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kalmadi also dismissed reports that former international players will have to pay to watch World Cup matches, saying all ex-players would be given passes.
“All former international players would be given passes and tickets,” he said.
The party was also attended by the junior hockey team which participated in the South Asian Games in Dhaka and a couple of members of the Indian women team, including Mamta Kharab and Dipika Murti.