Indian Hockey League crisis: After Salima, Savita’s plea, sports ministry tries to revive HIL
Hockey India captain Salima Tete and veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia made an emotional appeal to save the Women’s Hockey India League during the World Cup in August. Two months later, their request received a response from the Sports Ministry, which formed a seven-member committee to work on reviving the Indian Hockey League.
The committee includes representatives from the Sports Ministry, Hockey India and HIL franchises and will look into the league’s governance, financial model and overall structure.
The move follows a meeting held by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya with Hockey India officials and franchise representatives in September. Concerns surrounding the league and uncertainty about its future were discussed by stakeholders.
A ministry source quoted by news agency PTI said that Sports Ministry Joint Secretary (Khelo India) Vineel Krishna, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh and Treasurer Sekar J Manoharan are part of the committee.
The three representatives of the franchise are Alok Sanghi, Mahesh Bhupathi and Divyanshu Singh. The committee was asked to work on the administration and financial structure of the league on priority and submit its report to the ministry within a specified time.
The development comes at a crucial time for HIL, with next season facing uncertainty. Franchises have sought more clarity on the league’s governance and financial model, while rising costs have also raised questions about its long-term sustainability.
During the Women’s World Cup in August, Indian players publicly demanded that the Indian Women’s Hockey League be saved from suspension. Tete and Savita were among the players who created an emotional appeal as the women’s league faced serious financial difficulties.
India finished fifth in the World Cup, their best finish in the tournament since 1974.
The Hockey India League returned in 2024 after a seven-year hiatus, providing regular domestic competition for Indian players while also bringing several overseas players to India. However, his future has been clouded by financial concerns and uncertainty about being part of the franchise.
The Sports Ministry had proposed the formation of the panel after the Mandaviya meeting in September. The latest regulation formally brings stakeholders together and gives the government direct representation in the process.
The formation of the committee also comes amid discord within Hockey India, with president Dilip Tirkey and general secretary Bhola Nath Singh publicly at odds in recent weeks over several administrative issues, including the jersey dispute ahead of the World Cup.
The seven-member panel will now work to find a sustainable model for the Hockey India League and address issues raised by franchises and other stakeholders.
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