New Delhi, June 16: Indian hockey captain Dhanraj Pillay today made a fervent appeal to corporate houses to come forward to the aid of the cash-strapped national team as the side geared up preparations for next year's Olympics in Athens. With Castrol withdrawing its sponsorship as a cost- cutting measure just before the team's departure to Australia last month to play a double-leg tournament, the side is without any sponsor. "We do need a sponsor and the multinational companies should extend their assistance to the team immediately as we have many important assignments coming ahead", Pillay said here today. Coach Rajinder Singh echoed Pillay's sentiments but said it was upto the Indian Hockey Federation to do the talking regarding sponsors. "My job is to look after the players' performance on the field. It is the IHF who takes decision on such matters. But hopefully things will sort out soon and we will have some sponsors", he said.

Though the IHF president K P S Gill has already made it clear that talks were on with corporate houses, IHF sources said that "Negotiations are at an advance stage and we will come up with some concrete decision within a few days".

Gill denied that the development will have any negative bearing on the Indian team's preparation for the Athens Olympics next year. "Our preparations will not be affected. We already have some funds lined up", he said.

Bureau report