India’s swashbuckling middle-order batsman Suresh Raina has become the second cricketer, after MS Dhoni, to join hands with the Hockey India League (HIL). Raina has been unveiled as a co-owner of the HIL franchise Uttar Pradesh Wizards on Monday.
Raina, who has represented Uttar Pradesh at all age levels, said he is proud to be associated with hockey and it will try his best for the upliftment of the sport in the region. He, meanwhile, also congratulated the national team for making the Rio Olympics cut.
“It is a memorable day for me because today I am immensely proud to be associated with the national sport of our country, hockey, by joining UP Wizards,” Raina said.
“On this occasion, I would also like to take the opportunity of congratulating the Indian hockey team for bringing laurels to our nation by winning gold in the Asian games after a span of sixteen years and qualifying directly to the Olympics.
“Uttar Pradesh is a land of world class hockey gems like Major Dhyan Chand, KD Singh Babu and many more to follow and since my sports college days in Lucknow, I have a lot of friends who are hockey players and this further boosts up my pleasure of my association with hockey.”
“I will make all possible endeavors and bring all sorts of support required for uplifting the game of hockey in the region,” he concluded.
More recently, India captain MS Dhoni has brought the HIL franchise Ranchi Rays, which will represent his state in the forthcoming season.
