Hockey India preparing to start HIL in a new form in 2024 or 2025

New Delhi. With Hockey India trying to revive the franchise-based league after a gap of seven years, the much-awaited Hockey India League (HIL) could start in a new avatar next year or early 2025. HIL was suspended in 2017 due to financial issues and non-cooperation from team owners. Hockey India is planning to organize this league after the Paris Olympics which will also have women’s events for the first time. Hockey India, under the leadership of former Olympian Dilip Tirkey, plans to revive the hockey scene in the country by providing exposure to budding players through HIL.

For this, Hockey India has sought a window from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to hold the tournament next year and is awaiting a response from the game’s world body. Speaking exclusively to PTI, Tirkey said, “We haven’t got any window yet, but we have asked FIH for a window.” We have asked for a window after the Olympics in December next year or January 2025. “We are still waiting for an official reply from FIH. “We are planning to organize HIL for both men and women this time.

Earlier it was only for men but we want our women players to get experience as well.” Hockey India plans to have this league with eight teams in the men’s section and four teams in the women’s section. Hockey India has tied up with ‘Big Bang Media Ventures’ as the commercial and marketing partner for the league. Tirkey said, “HIL will provide the country’s young players with exposure to the sport at the top level. It will be a big platform for them as top players from all over the world will participate in it. They will get valuable experience playing with the best players in the world.” It is learned that Hockey India will hold a meeting on July 5 with all stakeholders of the game, including its commercial partners, to decide the future course of action for the league.

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Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also confirmed that HIL will be presented in a new way next year and the national federation is leaving no stone unturned to make the league a success. Bhola Nath said, “HIL is like our child and we want to bring it back in a big way. This was one of our election agenda and we are working on a war footing to make it a success. HIL was started in 2013 with six teams. It was played in the month of January and February.