Idco, MCL may team up for Odisha franchisee in HIL

Mahanadi Coalfield okays proposal to contribute 50% of expenditure, govt nod for Idco's participation awaited

Hockey lovers in the state have now something to cheer for the home team in the next edition of Hockey India League (HIL), a professional league for field hockey competition in the country.

The state-owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (Idco) is likely to team up with Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL), a Coal India subsidiary, to promote Odisha franchisee for the league at least for next three editions.

The MCL board has approved a proposal to contribute 50 per cent of expenditure for the franchisee of HIL.

Idco in association with MCL shall promote the HIL franchise and bear all expenses for at least three years beginning 2013-14. The promoters will have the option to exit by selling their stake any time after three years.

The government approval on Idco’s participation is awaited, said a source.

Odisha has a rich history of hockey and it has produced international players like Ignace Tirkey, Dillip Tirkey, Lazrus Barla and Michael Kindo among others. Dillip Tirkey, who is now a Rajya Sabha MP, even captained the India team between 2002 and 2006.

In a recent meeting between officials of the state government, Idco and MCL it was proposed that the Idco may promote a not for profit SPV (special propose vehicle) for promotion of hockey and other sports including welfare activities for sports persons and also own the franchise in the professional league.

It was also decided that MCL may be considered to partner with Idco for promotion of the franchise with 50 per cent contribution towards expenses, against which it will be offered a stake and directorship in the SPV.

The average expenses for first three years are pegged at around Rs 12-13 crore per year. A team of HIL officers, led by its secretary general Narinder Batra, had approached the state government to purchase a franchise in the HIL and made a presentation highlighting the significance of being a franchisee in the league.

Sources said, keeping in view the global reach of the event in more than 140 countries, Odisha franchisee’s participation in the event would give boost to the tourism sector in the state. The cumulative reach of first season of HIL was about 41 million in India.

Presently, there are five franchisee based teams in the league. They are Delhi Waveriders, Ranchi Rhinos, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Dabur Mumbai Magician. In the inaugural season, 70 top domestic players including those from the Indian national side as well as 50 international players, who were part of the national squads of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, and Argentina played for the five teams.

The title for the 2013 season was won by the Ranchi Rhinos. The second edition of the tournament will be held from 23 January 2014.