In India, the magic of different sports leagues is being seen continuously. After the great success of the Indian Premier League in cricket, tennis, badminton, wrestling, kho-kho and kabaddi leagues have also become very popular. After the strong performance of all these, now another league is going to start in the country. Actually, it is not a start, but a comeback. This is Hockey India League. The Hockey League which was closed about 7 years ago is making a comeback this year and this time more money will be showered on the players than before but Pakistani players will not be a part of this league.

On the lines of IPL, Hockey India started Hockey India League 11 years ago in 2013 to improve the level of Indian hockey and take it to new heights. Apart from India's national team and domestic players, many big players from around the world participated in it. This league was very popular then and Indian hockey also benefited from it later. However, it was closed in 2017 due to financial reasons.

Coming back again after 7 years

Now once again Hockey India has decided to start this league. According to the report of Indian Express, after the Paris Olympics 2024, Hockey India will start registration of players for the tournament. So far, about 1000 domestic and more than 500 foreign players have expressed their desire to play in it. Like IPL, players will be auctioned for the tournament. According to the report, the window between December to February has been fixed by the International Hockey Federation for the tournament. Like last time, this time also the Women's League will continue along with the Men's League.

IPL team owners are also in the race

This time the franchise will get more money than before to spend on players. The most important thing is that this time 30 big corporates from across the country have expressed their desire to get team franchise in the tournament and Hockey India is in touch with them. Some of them are those who have IPL and ISL teams in their name. Big houses include names like Adani, Jindal Sports, JK Cements, GMR. Hockey India will announce the franchise owners in the next few weeks. As fees, the franchise owners will have to pay Rs 7 crore (men) and Rs 3 crore (women) every year. This contract will be for 10 years. At present, the tournament will be organized only in Ranchi and Rourkela.

Pakistani players will not get a chance

The most important thing. Like IPL, Pakistani players will not be seen in this league too. Pakistani players got a chance in the first season of the league but then after the attack on Indian soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir, these players had to leave midway. This time too, Pakistani players will not get a place in the league. However, Hockey India has cited the league rules as the reason for this. In the report, quoting the federation official, it has been told that only players from the top-15 teams in the FIH ranking will get a place in it, while the ranking of the Pakistani team is currently 16. In such a situation, Pakistani hockey players will have to lose another Indian league.