New Delhi, March 16 (IANS): Two-wheeler giant Hero MotoCorp on Thursday signed up as national supporter for the Under-17 football World Cup which will be held across six cities from October 6 to 28.

Headquartered in India, Hero is also the title sponsor of the I-League, India's premier domestic soccer competition.

With the signing of the agreement, Hero filled the second of six national supporter slots for the youth showpiece.

"FIFA is very happy to welcome Hero as a national supporter of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017. Hero has been an active supporter of sports in India for several decades and expressed its interest in being part of this important tournament from its very early stages," FIFA's Chief Commercial Officer Philippe Le Floc'h said here.

"Both Hero and FIFA share a vision of further developing and strengthening the beautiful game here in India." 

"Hero has been a long-time partner of Indian football and as the company that has helped us the most in developing the game in our country, it was natural that it would be associated with the most important football event that India has ever hosted," President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Praful Patel said. 

"Hosting the FIFA U-17 World Cup is a significant landmark for India and Indian football and at Hero MotoCorp, we are immensely proud of being associated with this event," Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO of Hero MotoCorp said.