The inaugural Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 got underway on Sunday with the Odisha Warriors thumping the Delhi SG Pipers 4-0 in Ranchi.
Yibbi Jansen (16` and 37`), Baljeet Kaur (42`) and Freeke Moes (43`) scored for the Odisha Warriors.
The Women’s Hockey India League opened with a glitzy ceremony where artists showcased the culture of Jharkhand. Kalpana Soren, Member of Legislative Assembly, govt of Jharkhand and wife of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, unveiled the Women’s Hockey India League trophy along with the captains of the four Women’s HIL teams.
The other two teams in contention in the inaugural season are Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and Soorma Hockey Club. It was originally announced that there would be six teams, but before the auction that came down to four.
Two teams are set to be added from the second season onwards: expected to be Hyderabad Toofans and BC Jindal Group, Mumbai.
All teams have Indian captains. The national team’s current and former captains Salima Tete and Savita Punia are sharing leadership duties at Soorma. Current India vice captain Navneet Kaur leads Delhi, Odisha is being led by Neha Goyal while the costliest player at the auction Udita Duhan is the skipper of Bengal.
