Hero MotoCorp has always been instrumental in promoting hockey in India through sponsorship of various tournaments related to the game.Now, the HIL (Hockey India League) has recently signed a multi-year title sponsorship deal with the motorcycle marque. The tournament which is some-what based on the IPL is scheduled to take place from 14 January to 10 February 2013 involving 120 world-class players. Five teams – Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos will compete in the inaugural HIL season. With this sponsorship, the tournament will now be called as “Hero Hockey India League”.

Speaking to the media, Mr Pawan Munjal, MD & CEO, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. said “Hockey holds a special place in our hearts and we are pleased to partner with Hockey India League. I am sure that the initiative taken by Hockey India to start this league will go a long way in developing the game and bring back its old glory”. Also present at the occasion was the chairman of HIL, Mr. Narinder Batra, who stated,“We are delighted to have Hero MotoCorp as the Title Sponsor of the Hockey India League. Hero Group and particularly its MD & CEO Mr. Pawan Munjal, have always been great well-wishers of Indian Hockey and they have supported many initiatives of Hockey India in the past few years. Hockey India League thanks Hero MotoCorp for coming on board to become our partner for a long & joyful journey.”

The association of Hero MotoCorp with the game dates back to the Olympics, where Hero were the Title Sponsor of the 2012 Olympics Qualifier Tournament – ‘Hero FIH Road to London 2012’, which was won by the Indian Men’s team, thereby securing a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games. In 2010, Hero was also the Title Sponsor of the men’s, FIH World Cup held in New Delhi.