Hockey India pens extension with main partner

The Sahara Group conglomerate has signed a long-term extension to its partnership with the Hockey India national governing body.

The new deal will run until 2021, covering the 2020 summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Sahara will continue to serve as a major partner of the body and provide backing to India’s men’s and women’s teams at both senior and junior levels.

Abhijit Sarkar, head of corporate communications at Sahara, said: “We at Sahara India Pariwar believe that with adequate backing the young crop of players have it in them to create greater success stories in the following years similar to the Junior World Cup win, the men’s FIH Champions Trophy silver medal performance as well as the women winning the Asian Champions Trophy.

“These results show that Indian hockey is on the right path towards bringing laurels for India and Sahara India Pariwar is committed to the development of the sport at all levels and (we) are keen to continue our partnership with Hockey India in their endeavour to achieve greater heights.”

Sahara has been associated with Indian hockey in a wide-ranging capacity since 1995.