MUMBAI: The Hockey India League is going strength to strength, Close on the heels of Sahara Group acquiring Lucknow franchise, the Hockey India League has roped in another major business house. Jaypee Group (Jaiprakash Associates) has taken the Punjab franchise of the fledgling league that will debut in January 2013.

The high-profile Hockey India League, which has secured a window on the International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar, will see six teams play on a home-and-away basis. The 33-match series, which will run from 5 January to 13 February, will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.

This is Jaypee?s second big investment in sports apart from the Jaypee Sports City which hosted the Indian Grand Prix. The company has appointed Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador for its flagship cement brand Jaypee Cement.

Hockey India Secretary-General and HIL Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said, "When we have such groups as Sahara India and JAL as the first two HIL franchises, we not only feel encouraged that Indian hockey will get a fillip but also believe players from around the world will love competing in the tournament."

JAL executive chairman Manoj Gaur said he is thrilled that JAL is a HIL franchise. "By participating in HIL, the Jaypee Group has taken a definite step forward on way to help Indian hockey regain glory. The Punjab franchise that we have taken will get the Group?s full backing and we will be able to raise a world class team.

"We will arrange best of coaching and other facilities for our players so that they could be trained to not only lift the HIL Trophy but also contribute in India winning major international tournaments."

He further added, "Our participation in HIL is in a way also redemption of our Founder Chairman Shri Jaiprakash Gaur?s dream of grooming a battalion of young hockey players who will, in turn, help India dominate international hockey for a long time to come."

The six franchises will be selected from a pool of 12 cities that have infrastructure and facilities to host a match.

Earlier, Sahara Group had announced that it is taking franchise rights of Lucknow team. Apart from being the sponsor of Indian hockey team, Sahara has also been a global partner of the International Hockey Federation.