One Million Hockey Legs Newsletter August 2015 Exactly one year ago we first discussed whether we would be able to contribute to the Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of India and the Netherlands regarding further grassroots sports development in India. After a couple of months and several visits to India to scan possibilities and line up objectives and ambitions with the governments and hockey associations involved, the concept of One Million Hockey Legs was born in the spring of 2015 and officially launched in May in the residence of the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands. Ever since we have been in a flow. An Advisory Board has been established and (former) top players from India and the Netherlands joined as ambassadors. This autumn we will start with the first coach-the-coach programs and Summer Camps. In this newsletter we inform you about what’s going on at 1MHL. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected] Floris Jan Bovelander Rob van Nes Dutch P.M. Mark Rutte; “One Million Hockey Legs great example of collaboration between India and The Netherlands” On 5, 6 and 7 June Mumbai was painted Orange having a Dutch government and trade delegation visiting the city. The temporary Edelgrass astro turf pitch at Cross Maidan Garden was a popular spot in Holland Village. Many children enjoyed the 1MHL activities. Dutch PM Mark Rutte, Ambassador Stoelinga and Consul General Geoffrey van Leeuwen took time from their busy schedules to watch a match between Dutch and Indian all-stars ending in a 10-10 draw. In his key note speech during the trade dinner in the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Mr. Rutte mentioned our One Million Hockey Legs project as a wonderful example of the Dutch-Indian collaboration connecting business and grassroots sports development. New website live We are proud to announce the launch of the 1MHL official website, produced by our partner All United. Please test the features like the photo carousel and nice video’s including the official 1MHL Promo (in the Dutch language). Via the website you can download the prospectus and last but not least there is a red button! Not to announce danger, but to give you the opportunity to join the One Million Hockey Legs family. Do it today and share the website with your friends to enable us to count our position on the road to one million hockey legs. Ambassador hosts launch of 1MHL in his Wassenaar residence 12 May 2015 was a memorable day for One Million Hockey Legs. The Honourable Ambassador of India in The Netherlands, Mr. Rajesh Nandan Prasad, was so kind to host the official launch of 1MHL in his Wassenaar residence. An honourable invitation underlining the support of the Indian Embassy to the project. The beautiful ambiance, the interesting speeches, the delicious Indian catering and most of all the guests made this event the best imaginable start of the project. Wouter Jolie and Carina Benninga 1MHL-Ambassadors After the Indian top stars Ritu Rani, Sardar Singh and Sandeep Singh and Dutch (former) international players Teun de Nooijer, Floris Evers and Jaap Stockmann, Carina Benninga and Wouter Jolie also joined the 1MHL Ambassadors team. Carina is one of the most successful Dutch hockey players ever. She represented the Dutch national team in 158 official matches, winning Olympic and World Cup Gold. Wouter has 157 caps and is Olympic and World Cup Silver medallist and captain of (HIL) UP Wizards. 1MHL hockey stick The objective of One Million Hockey Legs is to give as many as possible children all over India the opportunity to play hockey. Therefore 1MHL has developed a hockey stick, obviously produced in India, to provide at schools. At the occasion of Holland Village in Mumbai the first 100 sticks found their way to schools, institutions and children. For € 750 / INR 50.000 you will be Bronze Medal Partner offering a school 25 sticks, 50 balls, 30 bibs and free admission for the school sports teacher to one of the Bovelander Hockey Academy coach programs. For 25 euro only you give a child a stick and a ball to have hockey playing fun for years. For info contact us at [email protected] Facebook & Twitter Join the One Million Hockey Legs family via: www.onemillionhockeylegs.com www.facebook.com/onemillionhockeylegs and follow us at Twitter: @1Mhockeylegs - #1MHL Edelgrass and HR Group partner contract signing At the occasion of the Trade Mission Dinner, witnessed by PM Mark Rutte and the ministers Ploumen and Dijksma, Ilse Visser – International Business Development Manager of HR Group – and Ralph Teunissen – Commercial Director of Edelgrass - signed the One Million Hockey Legs Silver Medal Partner agreement. One Million Hockey Legs talk of the day at Assocham Summit We are very proud that our first hour partner, the Associated Chambers of Commerce in Gujarat, decided to use the opportunity of the Ahmedabad visit of the Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Hon’ble Minister of Sports of Gujarat, Shri Nanunhai Vanani, to introduce the partnership of Assocham and 1MHL. Unfortunately we were not able to be in Ahmedabad that day, but Mr. Job Glas, head of the Netherlands Business Support Office in Gujarat, represented the honours of One Million Hockey Legs in the best imaginable way. We are grateful to our partners .