The Hockey India League (HIL) has been given the green light to resume after an eight-year hiatus.
HIL’s new avatar will have eight men’s teams and, for the first time, six women’s sides, Hindustan Times reports.
Per the daily, global governing body FIH has granted Hockey India clearance to host the event from December 28 to February 1, with the tournament to adopt a home-and-away format.
“We have been given a clear window by the international hockey federation (FIH). We have been in touch with many national federations like Australia and Netherlands, all of whom have agreed that their best players will be available,” HT quotes HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh as having said.
“HIL will be held under HI, but will have a separate governing body,” Nath said.
HIL was held from 2013 to 2017 before it folded. The new version will have eight teams. The women’s HIL, involving six teams, will be held simultaneously. Each team will have separate owners and the 14 entities have more or less been finalised. The players’ auction will take place post the Paris Olympics.
