Hockey India League Returns: Women's League Debuts After 7-Year Gap

The Hockey India League resumes in December after a seven-year pause, introducing the first standalone women's league. Featuring eight men's and six women's teams, the league will kick off on December 28, with matches in Ranchi and Rourkela. The women’s final is set for January 26, 2025, in Ranchi.

The Hockey India League is poised to make a comeback this December after a hiatus of seven years, featuring a newly revamped format for the 2024-25 season. The league will include eight men's teams alongside six women's teams, marking the inauguration of the country's first standalone women's hockey league. This critical development is expected to energize and expand the sport's footprint in India.

The event will commence on December 28, featuring two key venues: Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. The women's league will culminate on January 26, 2025, while the men's final is scheduled for February 1, 2025. Salima Tete, the captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team hailing from Jharkhand, expressed her enthusiasm for potentially playing the women's final on her home turf.

Salima highlighted the significance of the league's return, emphasizing the opportunity it presents for both current senior players and upcoming talent to interact with international players and improve their skills in a high-end competitive environment. The auction for the league, set from October 13 to 15 in New Delhi, will see franchises constructing a squad with 24 players, including a blend of Indian and international talent. Expectations are high as the league kicks off to foster talent development and enhance the competitive edge of India's hockey athletes.

(With inputs from agencies.)