Bengaluru, Jan 16 (IANS): Hero Motocorp Ltd., two-wheeler manufacturers, has signed a three-year contract to be the title sponsors for the I-League, it was announced here Friday at the launch of the eighth edition of the competition which begins Saturday.

The I-League kicks off with a double-header Saturday. The first match will be played between Salgaocar FC and Pune FC at 4.30 p.m. at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa. The defending champions Bengaluru FC face Dempo SC at 7 p.m. at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium here.

The Hero I-League trophy was unveiled here Friday in the presence of the Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri, his Dempo counterpart Clifford Miranda, Kushal Das, general secretary of All India Foodtball Federation (AIFF), A.R. Khaleel, chairman I-League, and Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League.

It was announced that the ‘Hero of the I-League’ will receive a prize money of Rs.2 lakh while the ‘Hero Goalkeeper of the I-League’ and the ‘Hero Defender of the I-League’ will be awarded Rs.25,000 each, and the ‘Hero of the Match’ will be presented a cash prize of Rs.10,000.

"We are extremely happy to have Hero Motocorp Ltd. as the title sponsor of the I-League. I believe this will go a long way in creating the necessary marketing buzz for the I-League which is a very important tournament for identifying national team players as well as participation in AFC Club competitions," said Kushal Das.

"I am grateful to our commercial partners, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), for roping in a sponsor of the stature of Hero Motocorp Ltd, who are known for their ability to take sporting properties to new levels by their innovations and marketing acumen."