After seven years, the Hockey India League is returning in a new form

India has secured the bronze medal in Olympic hockey on two occasions. The Hockey India League played a significant role in introducing new talent, but it was discontinued. Now, after a seven-year hiatus, it is making a comeback in a fresh format.

This time, teams from several new cities will participate, and notably, the competition will also include women’s teams. There will be eight teams in the men’s category and six in the women’s category. The men’s matches are set to take place in Rourkela, while the women’s will be held in Ranchi. The tournament is scheduled to run from December 28 to February 1, with the International Hockey Federation granting approval for the league to continue for the next decade.

The league’s auction is planned for October 13-15, with ten organizations acquiring teams for both men’s and women’s divisions. Player prices in the auction are categorized into three tiers: two lakhs, five lakhs, and ten lakhs. The revival of the league is anticipated to significantly impact hockey for both boys and girls.

Among the teams, there is one from Kolkata, owned by Srachee Sports, along with teams from Chennai, Lucknow, Punjab, Delhi, Odisha, Hyderabad, and Ranchi. The women’s category includes teams from Haryana, Kolkata, Delhi, and Odisha, with two additional teams to be announced later.

Each team will consist of 24 players, with a requirement of at least 16 Indian players, including four juniors. The final for the women’s league is scheduled for January 26 next year, while the men’s final will take place on February 1.

Dilip Tirke, the president of Hockey India and a former player, expressed his excitement, stating, “Bringing back this league has been a dream of mine since I took office. It has finally come to fruition. This league will nurture players for the national team and create history in the sports arena.”