It’s Hockey India League (HIL) time and fans of the sport really need to get behind it to make it a success.
First things first, the leagues for both men and women aren’t perfect. There have been issues and it is always better to accept and introspect. Having said that, the truth also is we do have the leagues happening and that’s something to look forward to and support when we see what’s happening with Indian football.
Hardik Singh, one of the stalwarts of Indian hockey, said it well: “We get to play with the best in the world and it helps us. For the longest time we had a mental issue against Australia. With the Hockey India League, we realised they are the same as us. Hockey players. They aren’t from a different planet and now we don’t have any issue while playing them. The league has helped and is a great opportunity for the youngsters who want to take up the sport going forward.”
Hardik is right. The story is one of aspiration. To see people get sold in an auction inspires the next generation to pick up a hockey stick. I know many will come and tell me that things aren’t perfect. The truth is life too isn’t perfect and can never be. We are all trying to seek perfection in an imperfect day. It is with this aim that the RevSportz team had assembled at the SAI centre in Kolkata to watch the Shrachi Tigers train. We had India’s best in Abhishek, Sukhjeet and Jugraj doing the drills in front of us and with stars like Tom Grambusch around, there was no dearth of talent. And that’s what the point is — when a youngster like Ketan Kushwaha gets this exposure with the very best in the world, he will surely get better.
Rahul Todi, the owner of Shrachi Tigers, said it well: “We go into the tournament as defending champions and the effort always is to get better. It is a collective effort. To stage a league is a Herculean ask and each one of us are committed to playing our part. We also need the media to step up and cover, for only then can the sport benefit from this effort.”
Jarmanpreet Singh, another national team stalwart, echoed the same sentiment. “As young players you are seeing the best in the world in front of you. You can go up to them and speak and ask questions. Learn from the best. The Hockey India League is a great platform for anyone wanting to play the sport.”
Circa 2026 is a massive year for hockey. The World Cup is in August in Belgium and the Netherlands, and within two weeks of it is the Asian Games. A gold medal in Japan also comes with automatic Olympic qualification.
“No team has ever peaked in a matter of weeks. But that doesn’t mean it is not doable or not possible. There is always a first. We want to win medals in both and also qualify for the Olympics,”said Hardik.
And the preparation will start with the Hockey India League, which is now underway with the women’s event in Ranchi.
For more updates on the HIL 2026, follow RevSportz
