New Delhi: Delhi WAVERIDERS, the Delhi franchise of Hero Hockey India League (Hero HIL), showcased new additions, new vigour and new management today at the National Stadium in the city. With the second season of Hero HIL gearing up, Delhi WAVERIDERS announced their plans of going a step up from where they finished in the inaugural season of the Hero Hockey India League.
The team announced a new face of the franchise, actor and producer, John Abraham, who will also be co-owner of Delhi WAVERIDERS. Driven by his passion for sports and Hockey, John Abraham will be part of the Delhi WAVERIDERS camp in the league, supporting his team during their games.
Announcing John Abraham as the co-owner, Mr. Amar Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, Delhi WAVERIDERS said, “Delhi WAVERIDERS stand for dynamism and passion. Continuously evolving and energetic the team’s main aim is to bring alive the true spirit of the game. We have lived up to our philosophy in the first season and would look to keep the same going this season as well. With John Abraham joining us to develop the franchise, we are all committed to fulfil our vision of reigniting the love and passion for our national sport – Hockey from the grass root level.”
Speaking on the occasion, John Abraham said, “This is a great opportunity for me to be associated with Hockey, our national sport. Delhi WAVERIDERS has an excellent team led by Sardar Singh, I am sure this team will do well and be the super team of the Hero Hockey India League in 2014. My vision is to see Hockey in the forefront of all sports played in India once gain and soon this vision is going to be a reality.”
The franchise also unveiled its team, the captain and a new coach- former coach of Indian Hockey team- Cedric D’Souza.
Introducing the new coach, Ajit Pal Singh, former captain of the Indian Hockey Team and Chief Advisor, Delhi WAVERIDERS said, “Cedric has coaching experience in domestic as well as international arena, and working experience with Indian as well as global players. His passion for fitness, technique and mental toughness makes him one of the most sought after coaches in India hockey. With Cedric in our ranks, Delhi WAVERIDERS will be the team to beat this season.”
DELHI WAVERIDERS team, like the last year, will create a thunder in the grounds of the Dhyan Chand National Stadium, defeating their opponents with their weapon - The Hockey Stick. For the second time, the team will thrill the nation with their execution under the captaincy of Sardar Singh.
Hero Hockey India League is scheduled to start from January 25 and will be brought to a close on February 15, 2014; with six teams competing against each other. Under the able leadership of captain Sardar Singh, the teaching and guidance of the Chief Coach Cedric D’Souza and Assistant Coach Berkhout Hendrik Bortel and the advice of Chief Advisor, Ajit Pal Singh, the team is set to create a on the pitch and the stadiums for the second season.
With the second edition of Hero Hockey India League (Hero HIL) to begin from January, the National capital would also witness a scintillating School Hockey tournament, amongst 32 schools of Delhi/NCR. The opening ceremony of the school tournament was flagged off today by Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah and Mr. Manpreet Singh Chadha, Managing Trustee, The Ponty Chadha Foundation.
The Team
The team of DELHI WAVERIDERS for the present season would encompass of International Players like Pirmin Blaak, Nicolas Jacobi, Simon Child, Matt Gohdes, Lloyd Norris-Jones, Andres MirBel, Jason Wilson, Tristan White, Steven Edwards, Timmothy Drummond and Indian players namely Imran Khan, Danish Mujtaba, Akashdeep Singh, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Talwinder Singh, YuvrajWalmiki, Bipin Kishor Kerketta, Surender Kumar, Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Rahul Shilpkar and Armaan Quereshi.
