The much-awaited Hockey India League (HIL) will return after seven long years in a new avatar, where both the men's and women's teams will participate in the event beginning December 28. (More Hockey News)
While the men's competition will have eight teams, six𝓀 sides will feature in women's event which is being held for the first time.
The league will be played in two venues — Rourkela for men and Ranchi for women — from December 28 to February 1. The sport's wo♛rld governing body, FIH has given sanction of 10 years for ꦜHIL.
The players auction for the league will be held in Neꦕw Delhi from October 13 to 15.
A toඣtal of 10 franchise owners have come on board.
Players will be auctioned in t🔯hree categories: Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.
The return of the HIL is not only a significant mome⛄nt in the history of the sport but also a major step forward in promot꧒ing women’s hockey.
The introduction 💞of an exclusive women’s league within the HIL framework is being seen as providing a platform for female athletes to demons𝓀trate their prowess, paving the way for a more inclusive and competitive future for Indian hockey.
The franchise owners of the men's event are Chennai – Charles Group, Lucknow – Yadu Sports, Punjab – JSW Sports, West Bengal – Shrachi Sports, Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment, owned by tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, Odisha – Vedanta Limited, Hyderabad – Resolute Sport𒊎s and Ranchi – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited.
The women team owners are Haryana – JSW Sports, West Bengal – Shrachi Sports, Delhi – SG Sports and Enterta♔inment and Odisha - Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited.
The remaining two franchise owner꧋s of the woꦉmen's league will be announced later.
Each franchise will have a 24-player squad, consisting of at least 16 Indian players (with a mandatory inclusion of four junior players) and eight internatio🐼nal stars.
The final of the women's league is scheduled for January 26 ne🌺xt year in Ranchi while the men’s summit clash will be held on February 1 in Rourkela.
Hockey India president and chairman of HIL, Dilip Tirkey said it was his dream�� to revive the league since taking over the charge of th🅰e federation.
𝔍"Premier Hockey League started the culture of league in the world. Since the day we were elected it was our dream to revive the league and today the dream has been fulfilled," Tirkey said during the launch of the event here on Friday.
"HIL has been and will be a supply chain for ꧃the national teams. HIL is going to cr🏅eate a history for the sport. HIL is very important for world hockey. We are thankful to International Hockey Federation (FIH) for giving us 35 days window," he said.
HI se🐼cretary general Bhola Nath Singh agreed with Tirkey, saying starting the HIL was their aim from day one after taking charge of the federation.
"Th💫e first day we joined our first though was to restart HIL. It was long time waiting. Hockey is not just a sport in India, it is in our hearts," Singh said.
He also said that Odisha gover♔nment has extended its sponsorship deal with Indian hockey till 2036.
