Namma Metro to sponsor Karnataka hockey team

BANGALORE: Karnataka hockey team will sport the Namma Metro logo at the Hockey India Senior men’s National Championship, beginning in Bhopal on June 10.

The sponsorship deal, struck by Hockey Karnataka last month, saw Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited fund the 25-day preparatory camp as well as kit the team ahead of the Nationals.

“The players left for Bhopal on Rajdhani express today,” a beaming Hockey Karnataka secretary AB Subbaiah told TOI. “It will be a comfortable journey to Bhopal where we will ensure they get the best of facilities. Besides, they will get a daily allowance of Rs 450.”

Around 50 players, who attended the camp, were provided with special diet and proper training module by physical conditioning expert Jeeth Devaiah. Seventeen were picked at the end of the camp. They will be joined by Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh of Indian Oil in Bhopal.

Irshad Ali is the third non-Karnataka player in the team. He hails from Bhopal.

Karnataka, who will be led by Bharat Petroleum forward Amar Aiyamma, are in Pool B along with Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Assam, will face Assam in the opener on June 11.

Team:

Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri & Tharun Thammanna.

Defenders: VR Raghunath, Irshad Ali, SK Uthappa.

Midfielders: Vikramkanth, MB Aiyappa, Rafeeq, Bipin Bopaiah, MK Muddappa.

Forwards: Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, Amar Aiyamma (captain), Hari Prasad, Pradhan Somanna, KP Dinesh, KM Somanna, KS Appanna, Nithin Thimmaiah.

Coach: BJ Kariappa. Coach / manager: BS Venkatesh.

Physical expert: Jeeth Devaiah.

Umpires: Raghu Prasad, Arun Babu and Cariappa.

Technical official: AB Palangappa.