Who better than double Olympic medallist Harmanpreet Singh knows the significance of Hockey India League (HIL) which is going to be revived after a hiatus of seven long years, beginning in Rourkela, India, from December 28.
A product of the previous editions of the HIL, Harmanpreet is very well aware of the significance of the league for Indian hockey as the tournament is not only a supply chain for the national team but will also provide the much-needed exposure to youngsters.
And with India winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, the timing of the league's revival couldn't have been more perfect.
It is a great time to revive the HIL. The popularity of hockey is at an all-time high after back-to-back Olympics medals and there is a craze among youngsters for the game.
The HIL is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn. The tournament helped me a lot in my career. The HIL can be a supply chain for the national team.
The ace dragflicker, who was bagged for Rs 78 lakh, the highest bid in this year's HIL auctions, by Punjab's Soorma Hockey Club will lead his franchise in the eight-team men's competition.
The league will provide a fantastic platform for players to showcase their skills. HIL's impact is clearly visible in the performance of the Indian men's hockey team. Our success in the Olympics is due to the exposure the league provided us at such a young age.
The opportunity to rub shoulders, share the change room and compete against the best players of the world has been of immense benefit for us. You can't imagine what a difference it has made.
In a first, a four-team women's HIL will also be played alongside the men's tournament, and this indeed can be a major breakthrough for Indian women's hockey, as there is no other such kind of tournament for women in the world.
And Harmanpreet believes the HIL is going to be a game-changer for Indian women's hockey.
With the Women’s HIL set to begin this year, I am confident the league will take the Indian women’s hockey team to greater heights in the future just like it did with men's hockey.
The men's HIL will be played in Rourkela starting December 28, while the women's league will be played in Ranchi beginning January 12.
The eight teams in fray in the men's HIL are UP Rudras, Team Gonasika from Vizag, Tamil Nadu Dragons, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Hyderabad Toofans, Delhi SG Pipers and Soorma Hockey Club, while the four women franchises are Delhi SG Pipers, Odisha Warriors, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and Soorma Hockey Club.
Harmanpreet's aura at the world level can be gauged from the fact that he was the highest goal scorer at the Paris Olympics with 10 strikes from eight games, most of which came from penalty corners.
But Harmanpreet admits that it is not easy now-a-days to find the net frequently from penalty corners.
Drag-flick is getting tough day-by-day. My goal always is to work on myself and improve day-by-day, bring in more variations in dragflicks and remain fit.
Harmanpreet's side Soorma Hockey Club is owned by JSW Sports and will be coached by Belgium's Jeroen Baart, with Indian hockey legend Sardar Singh as the mentor.
Harmanpreet has every trophy or medal in his cabinet, you name it, but a World Cup medal is what he is still chasing and wants to achieve in 2026.
India hasn't won a World Cup medal for a long time and I want that medal around my neck before I finish my career.
