Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has said that he is looking forward to the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL). That he describes as a good avenue for junior players who are hoping to break into the senior national team.
Speaking during day two of the HIL Auction, Sreejesh, a Director and Assistant Coach of Delhi SG Pipers, said, “I’m excited about the competition. I’m on the other side now, helping the players. It’s a great opportunity for juniors to show their talent.”
He mentioned how junior and domestic players now had an opening since their top players were already confirmed. “This is the right platform for them, more so with the World Cup scheduled for next year,” he added.
Sreejesh explained that it is this competitive environment of the league that will aid coaches and selectors in finding out how players perform under pressure on and off the field. He underscored that he would love to see how these players cope with high-pressure situations. And how well they perform in such an environment.
On the auction process, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said, “Day one was good. Harmanpreet Singh fetched Rs 78 lakh. Many players fetched good money amidst much competition. Then, on a day like today, the bidding was impressive for many of our junior players. Including some from U21, which shows we are developing our young lot well.“
Sardar Singh, coach for Soorma Hockey Club, also voiced his opinion on why one needed skillful Indian players. “It is necessary to have skillful Indian players because they are the majority on the playing field. For the last 7-8 years, the skill of our players has been at par with foreign players.”
The HIL 2024/25 Player Auction for the men’s competition was conducted successfully in New Delhi and the season will be played in Rourkela later this year. Overseas players got big bids with the costliest being Victor Wegnez from Belgium. At Rs 40 lakh and Rs 38 lakh for the bid on Dutch Captain Thierry Brinkman. Indian players Moriangthem Rabichandra and Maninder Singh also fetched notable bids.
The new HIL will be pitting 8 men’s teams against each other, with 6 teams in the women’s category. India’s first women’s standalone league will run concurrently with the men’s league. The league opens on December 28, with Ranchi and Rourkela hosting matches. The women’s final will take place on January 26, 2025, while the men’s final is on February 1, 2025.
ANI
