‘Save women’s HIL’: Indian stars make emotional plea as league faces uncertain future
Indian women hockey players have appealed to save the Women's Hockey India League. This competition has significantly boosted the confidence of a young, emerging team. The league provides a crucial pathway for developing new talent for the national squad. Financial challenges and low revenues threaten the league's continued operation. Players request corporate and government support to ensure its…
India's women hockey players have made an emotional plea to save the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL), arguing that the competition has played a vital role in building their confidence. With 11 debutants in the squad, India has won only one match so far, but still holds a promising fifth and sixth-place finish in the World Cup.
However, their hopes of advancing to the semifinals were dashed by a goalless draw against Australia. The players believe that the HIL is crucial for the next generation of hockey talent, and its discontinuation could have a damaging effect on women's hockey in the country.
Veteran midfielder Neha, who led Odisha Warriors to the inaugural HIL title in the 2024-25 season, emphasized the importance of the league in providing young players access to a higher level of competition. She stated that the HIL has indeed benefited them a lot, as it has given them players like Baljeet, Sakshi, and Rutuja, who are part of the current World Cup team.
Neha expressed hope that the league would not be discontinued, as it provides an essential platform for junior and senior Nationals players to compete at a higher level.
Captain Salima Tete also highlighted how the league has expanded India's talent pool and provided emerging players with a route into the national team. She noted that many players from HIL are now part of the Indian team, and the league has given them a chance to be selected for the national camp. Salima emphasized the importance of HIL in ensuring that India's talent pool remains broad and well-exposed to the pressure of international hockey.
Sakshi Rana, another player who has benefited from the league, shared how playing alongside established international stars in HIL helped her handle the pressure of the biggest stage. She credited the league for giving her confidence, which proved invaluable during the tournament. Navneet Kaur echoed similar sentiments, stating that HIL has been instrumental in helping younger players overcome their fear of facing established international stars.
The player also urged the corporate sector to step in and support the women's league, as it currently grapples with financial uncertainty and is at risk of losing both franchises and sponsors.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
