Sports Minister asks Hockey India and franchises to come up with recovery plan for HIL

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday asked the franchise owners of Hockey India and the Hockey India League to come up with a comprehensive plan to ensure the financial viability and sustainability of the cash-strapped league and set up a five-member panel for the same.

Ministry sources told PTI that Mandaviya held a meeting with Hockey India officials and HIL franchise representatives and was apprised of the concerns surrounding the competition.

“The Sports Minister met all stakeholders and was apprised of the concerns surrounding HIL. He directed HI officials to work on a plan that will ensure financial viability and sustainability of the league,” the source said.

“The minister also told HI that a five-member committee should be formed to work it out a comprehensive plan to revive HIL. The committee will consist of two representatives from Hockey India and the franchise, besides a senior official from the sports ministry,” the source further said.

“The minister has directed the stakeholders to work on the governance model, financial model and structure of the league on priority. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the ministry within a time limit,” the source said.

The representatives of franchises Hyderabad Toofans, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Shachi Bengal Tigers, ALP Pipers, JK Cements and the new Bengaluru franchise participated in the meeting.

HIL was revived last year after a seven-year hiatus, but has since faced concerns over its financial sustainability and franchise participation, putting its long-term future under a cloud.

Hari Ranjan Rao, Sports Secretary and Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI), NS Johal, CEO TOPS and senior ministry officials also attended the meeting which lasted for about one hour.

Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh and Treasurer Shekhar J Manoharan joined the meeting virtually while Ranjit Gill attended as Acting CEO after recent curtailment of Cdr RK Srivastava’s powers.

The appointment comes amid an ongoing power struggle in Hockey India, with president Dilip Tirkey issuing a show-cause notice to Srivastava and ordering him to cease exercising the powers of CEO.

However, Srivastava attended an official function in Mohali on Monday along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, Executive Council Member RP Singh where the dates and venues for the 2026 Men’s Asia Trophy were announced.

– The end

Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

14 Sep 2026 18:38 IST