Hockey India League: Five mistakes HIL should look to avoid after re-launch

Published at :April 12, 2023 at 2:57 AM

Modified at :October 4, 2024 at 3:17 PM

The tournament was previously disbanded in 2017 after five seasons.

Hockey India League (HIL) is a professional field hockey league in India. The league is organized by Hockey India, the governing body for the sport in India. The HIL, along with the Indian Premier League, Indian Super League and Pro Kabaddi League, is considered among the major sports leagues in the country.

HIL consists of six teams, with the regular season lasting two months from January to February, with each team playing 10 games. The top four teams at the end of the season make their way into the playoffs. The eventual championship game then decides the winner.

However, the Hockey India League was not active for the last six years. In fact, the last time the event happened was in 2017. Kalinga Lancers became the champions that time around. Dabang Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh wizards took up second and third spots respectively. However, all those are things of the past and now hockey lovers can enjoy the HIL back again.

The HIL is expected to make its much-awaited return in 2024. The recent success of the men’s team and the women’s team at the Tokyo Olympics is believed to have played a role in its resurrection. As such today we will look into the mistakes that the Hockey India League (HIL) needs to avoid to avoid any unforeseen circumstances in the near future.

5. Not overlook style of play or tactics employed by foreign coaches

The ultimate goal of the Hockey India League or the HIL is to hone home talent. Exposing the Indian players against world-class opposition with the inclusion of international talent would have immense benefits for them. The acquisition of foreign coaches is another aspect. These foreign coaches bring in their skills and expertise and infuse it with the sub-continental style of play. That has been a crucial factor and brings in positive results.

The Indian Hockey Federation should ensure that these skills flourish. This doesn’t mean that the Indian team will totally denounce their original style of play. Rather use techniques of permutation and combination to see which one yields the best results.

4. Not to focus on particular region or state but India as a whole

Hockey is popular in most areas of India. However, there are certain regions where hockey has a special appeal. Odisha has become the home of hockey in India and apart from that Punjab, New Delhi, and Haryana along with the southern states are also big on the stick game. Hockey India League needs to reach out to those areas where hockey is still not well known.

Be it through their marketing campaign, getting regional brand ambassadors, or through word of mouth. Getting a skilled local player would aid this cause even further. The club scouts will need to keep their eyes open for such fresh talent. Getting a chance to witness their local hero play on the screens would peak curiosity and generate awareness among those regions.

3. Not overlook talents emerging from Khelo India Youth Games

The Khelo India Youth Games is the perfect place to find new prospects. These prospects with their inherent skill and dedication and of course proper guidance could be the new Dhanraj Pillay, Ajit Pal Singh or today’s Manpreet Singh. These talents should be given proper opportunities rather than wasting away their talents.

The management should enlist proper coaches who take personal care of these young players. From giving them proper match times and ensuring their diet. The likes of Ali Ahmed (Madhya Pradesh), Prem Dayal Giri (Odisha), Sundaram Rajawat (Madhya Pradesh) and Ravi (Haryana) were some stars who shone brightly in last year’s event.

2. Franchise Issues

The HIL had its own fair share of issues regarding sponsors and franchises. Initially Hero India served as its prime sponsor from 2013-2015. That all changed in 2017 as Coal India took over the Hockey India League. The League also faced similar issues with regard to the franchises.

The Mumbai Magicians disbanded in 2014 and were swiftly replaced by Dabang Mumbai in 2015. Ranchi Rhinos (the inaugural champions) too disbanded in 2015 because of an ownership dispute and they too were replaced by Ranchi Rays. As such it will be mandatory to keep such distractions at bay and open a clear line of communication with the different franchises to avert any such unwarranted situations.

1. Financial Issues

The shortage of funds proved to be a severe problem for the Hockey India League. Though the initial years proved to be fruitful it did not sustain the longevity required to call it a success. This led to the tournament being ultimately closed down for a period of time right from 2018.

The financial constraints proved to be a massive barrier but now with the revitalization of Indian hockey, times have changed. With more and more sponsors and advertisements the game of hockey is finally regaining its lost ground. Hopefully with many big organizations investing in sports just like Reliance is doing in football hockey too can find its way to its ultimate glory days.