Return of Hockey India League: All You Need to Know
The Hockey India League (HIL), one of India's most awaited sports events, is set to make a comeback after a seven-year hiatus. This year, the league will be bigger and better, featuring eight men's teams and six women's teams.
In a recent press conference, Hockey India confirmed the league's return, outlining the updated structure, player auction process, and more. HIL is set to start on December 28, with the opening ceremony taking place in Rourkela. The matches are scheduled to be played across two locations - Rourkela and Ranchi.
The competing men's teams hail from Chennai, Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, Odisha, Hyderabad, Ranchi, and Punjab, owned by various sports and entertainment groups. The women's teams represent Delhi, Kolkata, Odisha, and Haryana, with two additional team owners still to be announced. The inclusion of women's teams this edition marks a significant milestone for the league.
The teams are to be formed through a player auction set for mid-October in New Delhi. Players can register under one of three categories and set their base price accordingly. Each of the franchises is set to recruit a 24-player squad, ensuring at least 16 Indian players, including 4 junior players, and 8 international athletes.
While the players up for auction have not been officially announced, ESPN India suggests top men's and women's hockey players have registered to participate in the HIL.
The venues for this edition are Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Ranchi will host all the women's matches, while Rourkela will be the venue for the men's matches. The women's league final is scheduled for January 26, 2025, in Ranchi, and the men's final will occur on February 1 in Rourkela.
The revival of the HIL holds significant meaning for Indian hockey, as it was instrumental in enhancing the standards of the Indian men's team in the past, leading to India's Olympic victories in Tokyo and Paris. The inclusion of women's teams this time opens up new opportunities, potentially catalyzing a boost for the national women's team.
