Indian Hockey Federation president K P S Gill expressed confidence that Sahara's decision to sponsor the country's junior and senior hockey teams will help India regain lost glory.

Speaking after Sahara Parivar chief Subroto Roy broke the news about his company's association with the IHF, Gill said: "This understanding will go a long way in regaining the glory of the fifties and sixties. The game is looking up, especially after the recent performances of the team in international tournaments."

The Sahara group announced on Wednesday that it signed an eight-year agreement with the IHF to sponsor Indian hockey till 2011.

Gill said the finer points of the agreement with Sahara will be finalised soon.

He also informed that the national championship, which has not been held for the last two years, will be held this November-December.

"The federation is in the process of finalising the venue for the event," he added.

IHF secretary K. Jyotikumaran said, "Sahara's sponsorship has come at a right time, when the team is peaking well for the Champions Trophy and Olympic qualifier.

"With the uncertainty about the sponsor having ended I am sure the boys will be more focused."