Dabang Mumbai News

The Governing Council of Hockey India League has decided to defer the Hockey India League Players’ Auction by a fortnight to December 16 and the start of the Hockey India League to January 14, 2013. The League will now conclude on February 10, 2013.

Hockey India Secretary-General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra said the decision was made in the best interest of hockey since some franchises are new to hockey and most of the coaches they were hiring were tied down with the FIH Champions Trophy in Melbourne and would not be able to take part in the Players’ Auction set for early December.

“After the HIL Franchise Workshop on Saturday, the Governing Council decided that it would be in the best interests of all concerned to defer the Auction so that all teams could have the best minds available to them at this important stage of team formation. It became inevitable that the start of Hockey India League also be deferred by a few days,” Dr Batra said.

This change of date will also enable Hockey India League to invite the six marquee players to be present at the Players’ Auction and assist their respective franchisees in team formation after they are selected through the auction process.

“We are grateful to the International Hockey Federation for accepting our request to reschedule Hockey India League” he said.

Dr Batra said the Hockey India League Governing Council is confident that the tournament will be a major milestone, proving players a great platform to showcase their skills and secure financial rewards while raising the profile of the sport so that more youngsters take to playing hockey.