Dabang Mumbai News

Hockey India Secretary General and Hockey India League Chairman Dr Narinder Batra expressed confidence that the quality of competition in the inaugural edition of the tournament, scheduled from January 5 to February 3, 2013, would be very high and that the Indian players would draw a great deal from the event.

Releasing the list of 152 Indian players who have signed up for the Hockey India League Players’ Auction to be held in the capital in December, Dr Batra said Hockey India League was proud of having not only sparked interest in the hockey fraternity but also ensured more than 250 players, including over 90 players from overseas has signed up for the HIL Players’ Auction.

From HIL Brand Ambassador and Captain of the Indian team for the FIH Champions Trophy 2012, Sardar Singh to skipper of the Indian Junior Men’s team which made it to the Sultan of Johar Cup final in Malaysia, Manpreet Singh and Bharat Chetri who led India in the Olympic Games in London earlier this year to the exciting Kothajit Singh, the 152 players are the best available Indians talent.

“I am sure the six franchisees will find the task of picking combinations of 10 overseas and 14 Indian players to be a very exciting. We have signed up a number of players for all positions,” he said. “We are sure each of the six sides that will take shape at the HIL Players’ Auction will be very competitive squads and can offer wonderful quality.

“From the players’ perspective, we are sure that each of the 84 Indians, including a number of juniors, who will be picked up by the franchisees, will benefit from being a part of the Hockey India League,” Dr Batra said. “We believe Hockey India League will give terrific exposure to our players and help groom a generation of players who can compete with the world’s best.”

The list of 152 Indians comprises 19 goalkeepers, 23 defenders, 39 midfielders and 71 forwards.