Hockey India's desire to do away with Sahara as the official sponsor of senior men's team received a jolt after the Calcutta High Court has restrained the newly-formed body from permitting the national side to play without the company's logo.
Justice Nadira Patherya ruled that the senior national team as well as the junior side will have to wear the Sahara logo in their jerseys and kit while playing matches and during practice.
Sahara had entered into an eight year sponsorship contract with the erstwhile Indian Hockey Federation on July 15, 2003 according to which the national team has to bear the company logo and brand name on the national team's kits, apparel and other items
However, after the Indian Olympic Association dissolved the KPS Gill-backed IHF last year and formed an ad-hoc committee to govern hockey, the national team has been playing without the Sahara logo.
"Sahara has been supporting the game for revival and upliftment since 2003. It has never defaulted even once. It has carried out all its obligations and hence it was illogical to remove its logo in a high-handed fashion," Abhijit Sarkar, head of Corporate Communication Sahara said in a statement.
The company moved the High Court yesterday after the senior men's team left for four-nation Europe tour on Thursday night without Sahara's name on their apparels and kits.
HC asks hockey team to play with Sahara logo
Advertisement