The highly anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) is set to return after a seven-year hiatus, with the new season kicking off later this year. Hockey India announced in a press conference on Friday that the league will feature eight men’s teams and six women’s teams, with matches scheduled to take place at two venues—Rourkela and Ranchi. The tournament is slated to begin on December 28, coinciding with an opening ceremony in Rourkela.
Teams Involved
The men’s teams will represent Chennai (Charles Group), Lucknow (Yadu Sports), Delhi (SG Sports and Entertainment), Kolkata (Shrachi Group), Odisha (Vedanta), Hyderabad (Resolute Sports), Ranchi (Navoyam Sports Ventures), and Punjab (JSW Sports). For the women’s teams, participants will include Delhi (SG Sports), Kolkata (Shrachi Group), Odisha (Novayan), and Haryana (JSW Sports), with two more teams pending confirmation.
The HIL previously ran for five editions from 2013 to 2017, exclusively featuring men’s teams. This edition will mark the inaugural participation of women’s teams.
Player Selection Process
A player auction is scheduled for October 13, 14, and 15 in New Delhi. Players can register in three categories based on their base price: Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh, with no upper limit on bidding. Each franchise will form a 24-player squad, comprising at least 16 Indian players (including 4 junior players) and 8 international stars.
Auction Participants
While specific player details are yet to be released, ESPN India reports that top talents from both men’s and women’s hockey have registered for the league.
Match Venues
As previously noted, matches for HIL 2024-25 will be held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. All women’s matches will take place in Ranchi, while men’s matches will be hosted in Rourkela. The women’s league final is set for January 26, 2025, in Ranchi, with the men’s final following on February 1 in Rourkela.
Significance of the HIL Revival
The HIL is recognized as India’s premier domestic competition, featuring world-class players and coaches. Previous editions have significantly contributed to the improvement of the Indian men’s hockey team, culminating in Olympic medals in Tokyo and Paris. With the inclusion of women’s teams, there is optimism for a similar boost to the national women’s team, which missed qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
According to Indian women’s team coach Harender Singh, the HIL will provide players with the opportunity to learn from the best in the world, enhancing their confidence and preparation for international competition.
Future Prospects
There are indications that the HIL may become an annual event. Hockey India’s general secretary, Bholanath Singh, mentioned that the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) has allocated the late January to early February window for the HIL over the next decade.
Broadcast Information
Broadcast details have yet to be announced, but previous HIL editions were aired on ESPN Star Sports.
[Source: ESPN]
