Pen maker promises bonanza for hockey gold

New Delhi: Just two days before the start of the Olympic hockey event, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) officials have netted another sponsor, who has come forward to back the winning horse.

A pen manufacturer on Wednesday announced a cash award of Rs five million if the Indian hockey team won gold at Sydney. For winning the silver or bronze, the team will get Rs 1.1 million and Rs 500,000 respectively.

Earlier, a consumer durable major had announced a similar award. The company also handed over a draft for Rs 500,000 to IHF president K P S Gill on Wednesday.

Later speaking to reporters, Mr Gill said he was happy with the final build-up of the team. He said the morale of the team was high, as they had defeated Canada 2-1 in Wednesday's practice match.

Asked whether pool rivals Korea and Australia could frustrate India's chances at the games, he said Korea lost to England in a practice match and Australian commentators themselves said that their team had not been able to work together the winning combination well.

Welcoming the sponsorship money coming into the game, he said if the Federation could get Rs 50 million per annum, they could produce world-beaters.

He said a programme had been initiated to prepare the team for the 2008 Olympics. Gill also released a special motivational song composed for the Indian hockey team by Louis Banks and sung by Vinod Rathore.

UNI