BHUBANESWAR 31-Oct-2013 164
Odisha-based Kalinga Lancers would be the sixth team in the second edition of the franchisee-based Hockey India League (HIL), scheduled to be conducted at different venues of the country next year from January 23 to February 23. This was decided in a high-level meeting here at the State Secretariat oday.
According to hockey Olympian and Rajya Sabha Member Dilip Tirkey, the new team will be a joint venture of state-owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO) and Coal India subsidiary, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL).
A company under Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be registered soon in the name of Odisha Sports Development Promotion Company (OSDPC) to manage the sixth franchisee of the HIL and promote the sport in the state.
``The total investment in the new franchisee has been estimated at Rs 12 crores with IDCO and MCL contributing 50 per cent each. An amount Rs 3.5 crores has been earmarked to be spent in the Mini Players Auction or Closed Bid, which is scheduled to take place in Delhi on November 18,`` revealed former India captain Tirkey, who is the chief adviser of the new franchisee.
``Kalinga Lancers will be formed with a total of 24 players, which include 14 Indians and 10 foreigners. Orange-white and green-white will be the jersey colour. Team logo and anthem will be finalised shortly by an expert committee,`` added Tirkey.
He also said that five out of a total of 24 matches of the HIL-2014 will take place here at the newly constructed Astro-turf Hockey Complex in Kalinga Stadium. ``HIL matches in Bhubaneswar is sure to create new enthusiasts for hockey in the state and help young players learn a lot by watching stars from all over the world in action,`` he pointed out.
Tirkey was hopeful that Kalinga Lancers would be a formidable team, featuring quality players, coaches and support staff. Lazrus Barla, another hockey Olympian from Odisha, will be one the two assistant coaches. Efforts are also being made to rope in Australian Terence Walsh as the head coach.
``Walsh has been appointed as the newly chief coach of the Indian senior men`s hockey team. It would be excellent for Kalinga Lancers if he joins as head coach. Negotiations are on with him and a clear picture is expected to emerge in a week or so,`` disclosed Tirkey.
Besides Tirkey and Barla, Sports and Youth Services Minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi, IDCO CMD Vishal Dev, Sports Director D V Swamy and OCS Consultant VVSN Rao were present in the high-level meeting.
