Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, has announced its first ever partnership with Hockey India for the National Women’s Hockey League 2024. The agreement is for three years.

The first phase of the tournament commenced on April 30 and will conclude on May 9 in Ranchi. The domestic league promises an exhilarating showcase of talent and skill, Coca-Cola India said in a media statement.

The National Women’s Hockey League features teams that secured top-eight positions in the recently concluded 14^th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2024 in Pune. The participating athletes represent various States, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Mizoram, Manipur and Odisha.

In line with Coca-Cola India’s commitment to sports, the three-year collaboration underscores its role in positively shaping the sports and gender equality landscape, the beverages company stated, adding that the partnership also aligns with the company’s #SheTheDifference campaign, an initiative to celebrate, uplift and support women.

This strategic partnership aims to elevate women’s hockey by tackling essential components, such as providing specialized coaching, the provision of training equipment, nutritional support, and the organization of camps and tournaments to foster growth, the company added.

Commenting on the partnership, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said, “We are thrilled to have Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, onboard for the inaugural edition of the tournament. I believe this association will not only elevate the stature of hockey as a sport but also of women hockey players, nationally and internationally. This collaboration will be a milestone in raising the bar of sports training and enhancing sports capabilities in India.”

Echoing the enthusiasm, Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh welcomed the partnership with Anandana saying, “We envision the National Women’s Hockey League as a strong feeder system for the National team. This partnership is a win-win, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration in the years to come.”

Commenting on the association, Rajiv Gupta, Director, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, said, “At Coca-Cola India, we believe in the transformative power of sports to inspire and unite communities. Partnering with Hockey India advances our shared vision of creating a supportive environment for the development of sports and athletes alike. With this, we are proud to sponsor women in sports and contribute to their success on the global stage.”