In less than a week, the Hockey India League (HIL) will make a return after a gap of seven years. With the sport on a strong footing, the league, in its new avatar, has the potential to do for Indian hockey what the IPL has done for Indian cricket -- serve as the supply line for the national team and help strengthen the foundations of the sport in the country. Alongside reviving the eight-team men’s league, Hockey India (HI) has also launched a four-team women’s league.“When I was elected as president, one of the main objectives was to revive the HIL that had substantially helped the Indian players improve their performance. Rubbing shoulders against some of the best players in the world also changed their mentality of playing some of the top teams in international hockey,” said Dilip Tirkey, president of Hockey India (HI).“We are looking forward to a successful edition as it will have a profound impact not just on Indian hockey but also on world hockey,” he added. What might work for the league is the choice of venues. Both the men’s and the inaugural women’s league will be held entirely in just two locations – Rourkela in Odisha and Ranchi in Jharkhand. In recent years, these two cities have emerged as hockey hotbeds, regularly hosting matches in packed stadiums. By keeping the tournament in two venues will not only create an electric atmosphere but also help organisers save logistical expenses.“A lot of positive steps have been taken to ensure the success of the leagues. It will have a far-reaching impact on Indian hockey and also aid global hockey. The leagues will attract youngsters to take up the sport and help us unearth fresh talent keeping the 2028 Olympics in mind,” said Bhola Nath Singh, secretary general of HI.116546464Many current Indian players, including captain Harmanpreet Singh, benefitted from the erstwhile version of the league that ran from 2013 to 2017.“I benefited tremendously from the exposure I got as an upcoming player in the HIL. Our mindset changed after getting a chance to play alongside the world’s top players during the HIL. We were getting exposed to innovative strategies, different styles of play and there was knowledge sharing with stalwarts of the game. Now that the league is being revived, I believe it will have a similar impact on the youngsters coming up the ranks,” said Harmanpreet, who got the highest bid of Rs 78 lakh in the auction.The league will also provide former players with a platform to stay connected to the sport. Stars like PR Sreejesh, Deepak Thakur and Rani Rampal are involved in the league, allowing them to give back to the sport even after retirement. The Hockey India starting both the men’s and women’s editions together is also a significant step. Indian women’s hockey is on an upward curve post the Asian Champions Trophy win and the league is expected to help sustain the momentum.“I am excited that Hockey India is starting a women’s HIL. We had been waiting for this moment for a long time. We have seen how much the men’s side has benefitted from this league in the past and I believe starting the women’s HIL can be a game changer and it will have a positive impact on women’s hockey, particularly building up towards the Asian Games in 2026 and the LA Olympics in 2028,” said former India captain Savita Punia, who will turn up for the Soorma Hockey Club. With back-to-back Olympic medals, Indian hockey has captured fan imagination in 2024. The sport is being talked about and watched. Players like Harmanpreet and Sreejesh are brands in themselves and all of this makes the timing of the league just right.“It is a time when you want to invest in hockey. People are following the sport keenly and the league will further add to the positive momentum the sport now has. We are all in this to make sure India mounts a strong challenge in LA 28,” said Rahul Todi, owner of the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.The HIL can learn an important lesson from the IPL’s success: it’s all about the quality of the product, that is sport. If the HIL succeeds in producing high-quality hockey, there is no reason the league won’t make a lasting impact in the years to come.
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