“The state government is also ready to sponsor the hockey team for the next two years with an objective of supporting the team and its players,” Mayawati said in a statement here after making the announcement about the financial assistance.
“I hope that the step taken by the state would help Indian team to perform well in the world cup and do the country proud,” she said.

      Bajaj Allianz too has made a Rs two crore sponsorship offer for the side.
Akshay Mehrotra, the marketing head of Bajaj Allianz, said that the company was pained by the plight of the hockey players who had resorted to strike demanding payment of their dues before a settlement was eventually reached.

“In response to the ongoing debates and discussions in the media on the stalemate faced by the Indian hockey team, Bajaj Allianz has volunteered to offer Rs 2 crore for one year sponsorship to the national hockey team,” Mehrotra said.
“This offer is purely on a voluntary basis for the passion of the national game. The intention is to ensure a hassle-free participation of the national hockey team for the forthcoming World Cup,” he said.

Insisting that it was not just another commercial venture but more of a gesture, Mehrotra said the company has already forwarded its proposal to Hockey India president AK Mattoo. “We have sent a formal proposal to the officials concerned and authorities for consideration,” Mehrotra added.