Yadu Sports, a special-purpose vehicle by Yadu International Limited, unveiled its new Hockey India League (HIL) team, UP Rudras, based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Owned by Dr. Raghavpat Singhania and Mr. Madhavkrishna Singhania, the team’s name, logo, and coaching staff were introduced ahead of the upcoming season, with Olympic-winning coach Paul van Ass taking the helm as Chief Coach.
The team’s logo reflects a blend of tradition and modernity, honouring the heritage of the Singhania family and their 140-year-old legacy. The ‘Y’ in the logo symbolizes Yadu Sports and pays tribute to Shri Yadupati Singhania, the group’s founder. The 11 Rudras in the team’s name represent unity, strength, and the collective energy of the players, echoing the spirit of hockey legends like Major Dhyan Chand and KD Singh Babu from Uttar Pradesh.
Madhavkrishna Singhania, co-founder of Yadu Sports, expressed excitement for this new venture. “We believe this is our chance to give back to a state that has produced hockey legends. Through our investment in the Hockey India League, we aim to elevate the popularity of hockey while also focusing on grassroots development,” he said, adding that the team is committed to building a thriving sports ecosystem.
The team’s coaching staff brings a wealth of international experience. Paul van Ass, who recently led the Netherlands Women’s Team to Olympic glory, is joined by co-coach Thomas Tichelman and technical director Cedric D’Souza. Van Ass, no stranger to Indian hockey, expressed his enthusiasm about working with India’s vast pool of talent. “India’s hockey talent is remarkable, as the recent Paris Olympics demonstrated. We plan to develop a comprehensive training program that will help players thrive both nationally and internationally,” van Ass stated.
Cedric D’Souza, a seasoned coach with deep connections to Indian hockey, shared his excitement in his new role as Technical Director, while Tichelman emphasized the HIL’s potential to nurture emerging talent. The trio of coaches, backed by Yadu Sports, is set to build a competitive and versatile team as they head into the player auctions on October 13 and 14.
UP Rudras is poised to make a significant impact in the Hockey India League, not only through its strategic coaching team but also through its focus on developing future hockey stars.
