Lanco introduces a revolutionary new format of Hockey in association with Hockey Australia.

New Delhi, 11th October 2011: LANCO Infratech Limited, in association with Hockey Australia, today introduced the Lanco International Super Series Hockey 9’s at an event at the Australian High Commission. The Lanco International Super Series features a revolutionary new format of hockey and new rules to make the game faster and more exciting than ever before.

The tournament will be held in Perth from October 20-23 and is the only sporting event officially affiliated with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It will feature top Men's and Women's teams from Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Malaysia.

“Beyond cricket, hockey is another great and popular sport that traditionally binds Australia and India. Lanco is seriously committed to its business investment and endeavours in the Western Australian region in many areas, and on a long-term basis. We are really happy to be a part of this sporting event that, hopefully, should further strengthen our bond with the sport-loving Australians,” said Mr. Manoj Agarwal, COO, Lanco Infratech Limited.

New rules for the tournament include teams having 9 players a side as opposed to the usual 11; games will be played in 15 minute halves as opposed to 35 minute halves; goals larger by 1 metre; unlimited substitutions; one player from each team will be required to stay in the forward half to create more space; and ground rules will be relaxed to encourage continuous play.

These rule changes make 9-a-side a more free-flowing, exciting format designed to encourage attacking play, reward skill, and produce lots of goals which is what people want to see!

S P O R T S & E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Fresh from their Asia Champions trophy victory, India will be sending full-strength mens and womens squads to participate in the tournament. The Indian mens team will take on Australia, New Zealand and old rivals Pakistan, while the womens team will play Australia and Malaysia. All the group games from the tournament, including those involving India’s mens and womens teams, will be shown live on ESPN-STAR SPORTS, starting October 20.

“It is important that hockey is continually promoted in the right way in countries such as India and Pakistan. The Lanco International Super Series is certainly going to be an interesting tournament to watch, so it is pleasing to have India and Pakistan involved and to allow their fans to watch the action,” said Ric Charlesworth, Kookaburras Coach.

Hero MotoCorp is the Associate Partner of The Lanco International Super Series, and the event also has the backing of the Australian Government. Hockey Australia has engaged the leading Indian sports marketing agency Commune for the tournament.

About Lanco Infratech Limited

Lanco Infratech Limited is a Indian infrastructure major operating across a chain of strategic business units comprising EPC, Power, Solar, Natural Resources and infrastructure. In February this year, Lanco Infratech Ltd., through its Australian subsidiary - Lanco Resources Australia Pvt. Limited - finalised the acquisition of Australia’s Griffin coal mines in what was the largest investment made by any Indian company in Western Australia.

Ever since, Lanco has focused on growing the Griffin coal business and planning to expand its capacity nearly four-fold to over 15mt by making very substantial investments in its operations, port and rail infrastructure. Lanco intends to play a meaningful and long-term role in the overall business growth of the region and well being of the community.