MUMBAI: Wave Inc, the company promoted by Gurdeep Singh Chaddha alias Ponty Chaddha, has taken the franchise rights for the Delhi team of Hockey India League, the franchise based league launched by Hockey India with the backing of International Hockey Federation.

Established in 1963 by Sardar Kulwant Chada, Wave Inc is a diversified business house with interests in sugar manufacturing, distilleries, paper manufacturing, real estate and multiplexes and retail management.

Hockey India Secretary-General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra said the entry of Wave Group into Indian sports augurs well for hockey. "Over the past few weeks when we have been interacting with him, we have seen Ponty Chadha?s infectious enthusiasm. We believe that the Delhi franchise is in very good hands," he said.

Besides Wave Inc, HI has so far signed up with Sahara India for Lucknow, Jaypee Group for Punjab, Patel-Uniexcel Group for Ranchi.

"We are in advanced talks with business houses for the other two franchisees," Batra added.

Wave Group Chairman and Managing Director Chadha said the Group had been waiting for the right opportunity to be able to get into sports.

"I was born in Uttar Pradesh, which has been an incredible nursery for hockey from the legendary Dhyan Chand?s time. We are delighted to be able to associate ourselves with what promises to be dynamic league," he said.

MUMBAI: Sahara India Pariwar, a major business conglomerate and the owner of IPL team Pune Warriors, has taken for an undisclosed amount the Lucknow franchise of the ?Hockey India League? (HIL), the franchise-based Hockey league started by Hockey India.

Hockey India, the official body of the sport in India, is launching its own franchise-based league to rival World Series Hockey which is co-promoted by Indian Hockey Federation and Harish Thawani?s Nimbus Sport.

Sahara India chairman Subrata Roy Sahara said, ?By taking up this franchise we are sure that fresh talent will be identified at city and regional level, who in turn will bring laurels to our beloved nation. We are also hopeful, that following our efforts to encourage Hockey, other corporate entities will also come forward to support this league which will eventually benefit the game and its exponents."

The HIL will initially comprise six teams who will play each other on home and away basis. The league is expected to debut in January next year with the International Hockey Federation giving it a one month window from 1-30 January to ensure the participation of top foreign players.

The HIL will have six city-based teams selected from a pool of 12 cities that have infrastructure and facilities to host a match.

The six teams can have a maximum of 24 players in their squad with six Indian and foreign marquee players each. HI has fixed the salary cap at Rs 30 million with players divided into four slabs selected through IPL style auction in September.

Hockey India Secretary General Narendra Batra said, ?I am grateful to ?Saharasri? and Sahara India Pariwar, for again coming forward in support of Hockey. The Group has always come forward and supported the sport of hockey at all times by providing it the much needed support.?

Apart from being sponsor to the Indian Hockey Team, Sahara India Pariwar had also joined hands with Federation Internationale De Hockey (FIH) in 2004, the World?s apex Body for Hockey, and became the fourth Global Partner of the Federation for a period of three years.

HI will work with its exclusive marketing partner Twenty First Century Media to launch the league. TCM is responsible for handling sponsorship, media rights and getting franchises on board for the league.

Earlier, Sahara had renewed its sponsorship deal with HI forking out Rs 400 million over a five-year period.