MUMBAI: Hockey India?s effort to build its fledging franchise based Hockey league got a further boost with the Burman family, promoters of the consumer conglomerate Dabur India, buying the Mumbai franchise of the prestigious Hockey India League (HIL).

The western megapolis joins Delhi (Wave Group), Lucknow (Sahara), Ranchi (Patel-Unixcel Group) and Punjab (Jaypee Group) as the fifth team in the Hockey India League.

"We are pleased to welcome the Burman family into our fold as HIL Mumbai franchisee," said Hockey India Secretary-General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra. "We are excited that the family behind one of India?s biggest consumer powerhouses has come on board and are confident that, like the other franchisees, it will develop a competitive squad."

Dabur Group Director Mohit Burman said the decision to take up the HIL Mumbai franchise was an emotional one. He also clarified that the investment in HIL has been made in personal capacity by the Burman family and is in no way connected to Dabur Limited, the listed entity.

"We are pleased to be able to associate ourselves with the national sport. Everyone knows the rich legacy that India boasts of in hockey and the Burman family is delighted to be able to contribute to the evolution of the sport in our country," he said.

"This is a personal investment by the Burman family and is not connected to Dabur India. The idea was not only to be an owner of a Hockey team, but to be part of a larger canvas which will, in future, play a big role in finding new talent that can be groomed to play for India," Burman clarified.

Mohit Burman, a Director on Dabur board, is one of the stakeholders in Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab along with Ness Wadia of Wadia Group, actress Priety Zinta, and Karan Paul of Apeejay Surendra Group.

The Burman Family is the promoter of one of the largest and the oldest Indian consumer products company, Dabur India Ltd. The family also has interests in Life Insurance, General Insurance, Banking firms, Healthcare, besides Private Equity and Food & Beverage Retail.

The inaugural edition of the six-team Hockey India League will be played on a home and away basis from 5 January to 3 February and has been granted a window by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The 33 matches, including three play-off games, will be broadcast live on Star Sports.

Nearly 100 overseas stars with rich international experience and 150 Indian players, including the entire Indian squad, have signed up for the HIL Players? Auction. As many as 30 coaches have expressed their interest in associating themselves with the six teams.

Around 50 Indian players, including the entire Indian squad, have signed up for the HIL Players? Auction. As many as 30 coaches have expressed their interest in associating themselves with the six teams.