SAIL is Presenting Partner of Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010

New Delhi:   The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Hockey India (HI) today announced The Steel Authority of India (SAIL) as the Presenting Partner for the Hero Honda FIH World Cup 2010, to be hosted by India in March 2010. The event will now be referred to as the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, presented by SAIL.

 

An agreement on the above was signed today by International Hockey Federation (FIH) Chief Mr Leandro Negre and SAIL Director (Personnel) Mr G. Ojha in the presence of Union Minister for Steel Shri Virbhadra Singh and Union Minister of State Shri A. Sai Prathap at Udyog Bhavan. Among other dignitaries present on the occasion were Steel Secretary Shri Atul Chaturvedi, SAIL Chairman Shri S.K. Roongta, Hockey India President Mr A.K. Mattoo and Olympians & former Indian Hockey captains Zafar Iqbal, Ajit Pal Singh and Jagbir Singh.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Virbhadra Singh said that it was a great pride for India to be hosting the Hockey World Cup in 2010 and for SAIL to be the presenting partner of this great event which, he hoped, "will revive the game in India". He urged corporate enterprises to come forward to support and promote sporting events as well as sportspersons, so that "they will not have to worry about their bread and butter". Shri Sai Prathap, on his part, reminisced about his student days when he played hockey and thanked SAIL for extending support for popularising the game.

 

“I take great pleasure in welcoming Steel Authority of India to our global hockey family in what is another landmark and globally important sponsorship for the sport," said Mr Leandro Negre. "This event is of immense significance for Indian hockey and indeed for the game worldwide. We have placed in the tournament in India with the sincere hope that it will be a catalyst for the rejuvenation of the game here. In SAIL, hockey has a partner who shares that vision, a partner who is one of the world leaders in their field yet proudly Indian, and a partner who respects this great sport we love, and wants to see it come back strong. As the SAIL Chairman remarked to me, “Hockey is coming home”.

 

Speaking at length on SAIL’s five-decade-long association with promotion of sports, SAIL Chairman Mr. S.K. Roongta said, “At SAIL, we are very pleased to be associated with the apex event in International Hockey. SAIL has a significant legacy in hockey and actually owns and operates one of the country’s premier playing and training facilities which is equipped with astro-turf, at its Rourkela Steel Plant. SAIL is also justifiably proud that Michael Kindo, one of the stars of the Indian team which won the Hockey World Cup in 1974, was on its rolls. Hockey is the National Sport of India and as a proudly patriotic and national company, we feel that partnership with this premier global event is perfect articulation of our values and global outlook and standards. As the National Sport of India, a sport which in many ways India took to the world, we believe that like our company, Hockey reaches out to every Indian.’’

Mr A K Mattoo, President, Hockey India remarked, “That the Hero Honda FIH World Cup is now presented by SAIL marks a great moment for Indian Hockey and is a huge fillip for the sport and for this immensely important event. That we have been able to attract such blue-chip corporate supporters is precisely what the sport of hockey needs in India. This sponsorship will go a long way towards ensuring the delivery of a truly world-class Event. My heartfelt thanks to all at SAIL for this very significant commitment to hockey. “

The present Indian hockey team will look to reclaim its past glory in the 12^th edition of the tournament, this time on home turf. India will have to face stiff challenge from the 11 other competing teams, vying for hockey’s biggest prize.

About SAIL

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is the leading steel-making company in India. It is a fully integrated iron & steel maker, producing both basic and special steels for domestic construction, engineering, power, railway, automotive and defence industries and for sale in export markets. Ranked amongst the top ten public sector companies in India in terms of turnover, SAIL manufactures and sells a broad range of steel products, including hot and cold rolled sheets and coils, galvanised sheets, electrical sheets, structurals, railway products, plates, bars and rods, stainless steel and other alloy steels.

SAIL produces iron & steel at five integrated plants and three special steel plants located principally in the eastern and central regions of India and situated close to domestic sources of raw materials, including iron ore, limestone and dolomite mines. The company has the distinction of being India’s second largest producer of iron ore and of having the country’s second largest mines network. This gives SAIL a competitive edge in terms of captive availability of inputs for steel making.

Involved in promotion of sports since the early 1950s, when its production units and steel townships were being constructed, SAIL has established six academies across the country which impart training in Hockey, Football, Athletics and Archery.

About FIH

The International Hockey Federation (FIH), the world governing body for hockey, is based in Lausanne, Switzerland and was founded in 1924. Currently, 127 National Associations are members of the FIH. Hockey is played at all five continents. In 2008, hockey celebrated 100 years as an Olympic Sport. FIH has engaged Commune Sports & Entertainment as its exclusive marketing agent in India.

For further contact: Arjen Meijer, FIH Communications Manager, arjen.meijer@worldhockey.org. +41 79 619 77 34

Some useful information

The Hockey World Cup, is an international field hockey competition organised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The tournament was started in 1971. It is held every four years, bridging the four years between the Summer Olympics

Five countries have dominated the event's history. Pakistan is the most successful team, having won the tournament four times. The Netherlands have won three titles, and Germany has won two titles. India and Australia each have won the tournament once.

The 2006 Hockey World Cup was held at the Warsteiner Hockey Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany from September 6 to September 17. Germany won for the second time, defeating Australia 4–3 in the final. 

In 2008, hockey celebrated 100 years as an Olympic Sport.

The FIH World Cup will be played in India for the second time in the history of Hockey.

India is among a privileged few countries to have played in all the World Cups held so far.

World Cup hockey has been held at least once across all continents.