This is the second time in less than a year Sahara had to resort to legal recourse to force the Indian team to wear its logo.

In February during the Punjab Gold Cup tournament in Chandigarh, the Indian team played without the Sahara logo, but later used it after the company took legal action.

According to an official release of the company, 'Sahara India Pariwar had signed a contract on July 15, 2003, to be a sponsor for Indian national hockey team (men) for eight years with Indian Hockey Federation. Under the sponsorship agreement dated July 15, 2003, IHF as an agency of Indian Olympic Association exclusively used the Sahara logo/brand name on the kits/apparel and other items and articles used by the national team senior and junior. The said agreement is valid till season of 2011-2012.'