News 2015

– Belgium Striker Tom Boon the highest bid player for the season, bagged by Dabang Mumbai at USD 103,000

New Delhi, 15 November 2014: Building up for the upcoming Hero Hockey India League 2015, all the six franchises which includes defending champions Delhi Waveriders alongwith Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Kalinga Lancers, Jaypee Punjab Warriors and new franchise owners Dabang Mumbai and Ranchi Rays, were seen bidding their best numbers to get hold of players for their respective squad and ensuring the right amalgamation for their teams. With Dabang Mumbai sitting for the bid, had to ensure that they had in place a team which was as competitive as the rest of the franchises which had to their name, players like Sardar Singh, Jamie Dwyer, Moritz Fuerste , Mandeep Singh etc.

The Hero HIL Players Closed Bid 2014 saw some dramatic bidding for a total of 149 players amongst the six franchises which includes 95 domestic and 54 foreign players. It was Belgium striker Tom Boon which was the most fought amongst the franchise and was finally bagged by Dabang Mumbai at USD 103000 and a price which is the highest that any player in the Hero Hockey India League has been bought for when compared to the last two editions. This was followed by Australian Defender Matthew Swann being also picked by Dabang Mumbai for USD 78000 and closely followed by Uttar Pradesh Wizards picking up the most sought after Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh for USD 69000 and Ranchi Rays going for Australian Striker, Trent Mitton for USD 67000.

With Tom Boon securing USD 103000 for the 4 week long tournament this now puts hockey players equivalent to the European Football Players wherein Tom Boon earns USD 20000 a week in the upcoming edition of Hero Hockey India League.

Players sold in closed bid 2014  – Click here

Team Dabang Mumbai – Click here

Team Delhi Wave Riders – Click here

Team Jaypee Punjab Warriors – Click here

Team Kalinga Lancers – Click here

Team Ranchi Rays – Click here

Team Uttar Pradesh Wizards – Click here

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Elena Norman, CEO, Hockey India League said, “It was a successful closed bid session today. All franchises went for the players that they had targeted and ensured that they bid for them successfully. Tom Boon the highest bid player today, picked by Dabang Mumbai becomes the highest paid player of all 3 seasons. With the end of the Bid session today we see yet another season of thrilling action on the field where every team will  look at securing the most awaited title and being the Champions of the Hero Hockey India League.”

Speaking post the bidding, Coach Cedric D’souza,  Delhi Waveriders said, “we had a small void in our thinking plan for betterment of our team and we have bid accordingly. Fortunately we got what we were targeting for and its now a question how well we gel as a unit and perform best to our ability. We are also very fortunate to have a franchise to support us in every way and in  a very active in the process of selection of the players as well as interacting with them”.

Speaking on the auctions, Mr Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Team Owners Ranchi Rays said, “Being a sportsman myself, it is indeed a pleasure for me to conduce to the same spirit of sportsmanship in the game of hockey too. Our team Ranchi Rays has come up with some of the finest players for this year’s edition of the league and I have full faith that the players will bring many laurels to the sport of hockey”.

Speaking on the players that Jaypee Punjab Warriors bagged, Coach Jagbir Singh said, “We are happy to have successfully picking up Mid-fielder Simranjeet Singh for USD 24000, a promising uyoungster and has also been a part of the group of young players from Punjab. His inclusion helps us beef our mid-field position in the team”.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Rina Mohapatra, Deputy Resident Comissioner, Odisha representing Kalinga Lancers said, “As Kalinga Lancers started from the 2^nd edition of Hero Hockey India League, we had very little options of players of our choice. But the players in their first season itself played upto mark even if we were the new entrants to the League. In this years bid we were looking forward to strengthen our team further and finally we got the players of our choice. We are targeting this time to rise up in the ladder”.

Speaking on the event Mr Mr. Abhijit Sarkar, Director, Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd. said, “We have always believed in promoting the best Indian talent in Hockey. We are proud to add India’s Hero from the 2014 Asian Games, PR Sreejesh to our team this year. With him and three extremely distinguished players that we have selected, we are happy about how the Uttar Pradesh Wizards is shaping up this year. I am confident that with these new players in our squad, Uttar Pradesh Wizards can take their game even to a higher level in 2015 edition of Hero Hockey India League”

Speaking on their new outing, Mr. Viren Rasquinha, Strartegic Advisor and Chief Mentor, Dabang Mumbai said, “We bought Tom Boon who is presently the most complete player in the hockey world. We even managed to have a balanced squad and we are happy that we bagged 5-6 players who are Mumbaikars to the core. Our focus was to give opportunity to the young players from Mumbai and we have ensured that through this bid.”