New Delhi :  The Hockey India League will resume starting in 2024 for Indian hockey fans, giving them a reason to celebrate. Hockey India has signed up with several new partners to launch this league next year. The league was halted indefinitely in 2017 owing to financial concerns. The Hockey India League’s first five seasons, from 2013 to 2017, were all played in January and February.

On Monday, the Hockey federation announced partners for all commercial and marketing operations relating to the Hockey India League (HIL). The format, dates and number of teams for the rebuilt hockey league will be announced later.

“Hockey India League was one of my top priorities when I assumed office as president of Hockey India.  “It (the league) will be a critical stepping stone for India and will revitalise not only hockey in India, but also bring fresh energy to the sport globally,” said Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India president.

Because there is no time until February, the league may take place in March of the following year. If there isn’t time in March, it can be held in the following months. The previous five editions of the Hockey India League, from 2013 to 2017, were all contested in January and February. The Ranchi Rhinos, Delhi Waveriders, Ranchi Rays, and Punjab Warriors have won one championship.

The Hockey India League was effective in promoting hockey in India and drawing star players from across the globe, but it was unable to support itself owing to a mix of financial and administrative issues.

The league was primarily concerned with attracting elite talent from around the world, but it did not do enough to engage with local communities and supporters. This lack of engagement may have contributed to the league’s inability to build a strong fan base and a sustainable revenue source. Some experts also believe that the league could not achieve the anticipated viewership and fan following since it competed with other sports leagues in India, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian Super League (ISL), and Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which already had a large fan base.

Previously, the Hockey India League was instrumental in resurrecting Indian hockey after the national team failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Later, the team qualified for the London Olympics but finished 12th. But following the start of this league, Indian hockey players received the exposure they needed to compete against the best players in the league, which helped them not only develop their game but also their confidence so they could once again become world-beaters. Since then, the Indian team has been on a roller coaster of success.

The league not only transformed the players’ mindsets, but it also enhanced their stamina and assisted them in shaping the Indian hockey squad. Whether it was the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games or the bronze medal in the 2015 Hockey World League in Raipur, India won a medal in any FIH event for the first time in 36 years. India earned the silver medal at the 2016 and 2018 Champions Trophy, as well as the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after a 40-year gap.

They are consistently winning against top teams such as Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Argentina, and England. The Hockey India League may not be as successful, popular, or glamorous as the IPL or any other football league, but it has made a significant contribution to raising the standard of Indian Hockey between 2014 and 2023.

The Indian hockey fan can hope that with the reintroduction of this league next year, the Indian hockey team can win the World Cup and the Olympics gold medal and reclaim its lost previous grandeur, which this current generation has only heard about from their predecessors.