Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will sponsor India's 9th National Football League (NFL) at a cost of Rs.70 million ($1.6 million) -- the biggest sponsorship deal in Indian football -- it was announced here Tuesday.

ONGC chairman and managing director Subir Raha and All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi made the announcement at a press conference here.

The 12-team NFL begins in Kolkata on Jan 12 with a match between defending champions East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

"The sponsorship money will be for both the premier division of the NFL and the second division (comprising 12 clubs that will be announced next week)," said Dasmunshi, who is also the water resources minister.

"We hope that with our help India becomes the Asian champion by 2010, if not earlier," said Saha.

India is currently ranked 132nd on FIFA's global list.

The winning team will receive Rs.4 million, and the runners-up will take home Rs.2.2 million, it was announced. The next top four top finishing sides will receive Rs.1.6 million, Rs.900,000, Rs.500,000 and Rs.300,000.

At the end of the NFL, the top two teams will contest the Super Cup "within 72 hours" of the last match -- with the winning side getting Rs. 1 million in addition to the Rs. 4 million for clinching the NFL title.

Apart from these purses, the winner of each match will receive Rs.30,000 - up by Rs.10,000 from last year. There will also be individual prizes for the best goalkeeping, best defender, best half-back and best forward.

Dasmunshi did not announce the Man of the Match prize, but said it could be included when an emergency AIFF meeting takes place at Kolkata on Jan 11.

He, however, said the highest scorer of the tournament will get Rs.50,000 and the Fair Play Conduct winning team stands to bag Rs.100,000.

Dasmunshi also announced that AIFF will donate Rs.1.2 million for the victims of tsunami, which struck on Dec 26 killing over 150,000 people in 12 countries, including India.

While announcing that medical facilities will be enhanced at venues where NFL matches will be played, he said each team will be required to bring one doctor and physiotherapist besides those provided by the local organisers.

"Each team's manager/coach will have to submit a fitness certificates of their players before every match," said Dasmunshi, adding that local organisers will tie up with the nearest hospital for the matches.

The AIFF was shaken out of its slumber following the death of Brazil's Cristiano Junior while playing for Dempo against Mohun Bagan in the Federation Cup final at Bangalore Dec 5.

Dasmunshi said foreign players will be insured. Local players will be insured by their respective clubs.

The AIFF president also said random dope tests will be conducted during NFL 2005.