Hockey India League's return on track as HI opens registration process for teams, players, support staff

The much-awaited return of the Hockey India League (HIL) is on track after its absence from the Indian hockey calendar since 2017.
The return of the league was first announced last year by Hockey India (HI), with the women's version of the tournament to make its debut in the league's new avatar.
On Friday, HI announced the commencement of the registration process for its premier league, which is being revived after an eight-year hiatus.
The return of the league will see eight teams competing in the men's category and six teams in the women's category. The deadline for registration has been set for June 30.
In addition to team registrations, HI has also opened applications for players and support staff who are interested in participating in the league.
The HIL is scheduled to take place between December 2024 and February 2025, a window that has received approval from the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
"This step signifies that we are close to restarting the HIL, a league that was loved by hockey players and fans across the world," HI President Dilip Tirkey said in a media release.
"We are confident that budding Indian hockey players will snatch the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world."
The Hockey India League (HIL) commenced in 2013, with its most recent edition taking place in 2017, where Kalinga Lancers emerged victorious. Remarkably, each of the five editions saw a different team clinch the title.
Ranchi has had the distinction of securing two championships. The Ranchi Rhinos won the inaugural season, but the franchise was later discontinued.
Subsequently, a new Ranchi-based team, the Ranchi Rays, was established under the ownership of the iconic Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Rays made an impressive debut, winning the title in their very first season in 2015.
HI's secretary general, Bhola Nath Singh, said: "The HIL played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Indian Hockey Teams, and it is a matter of great joy and pride that we are on the verge of restarting it."
"The league will help improve the standard of young players and propagate a culture of hockey across the nation. We look forward to receiving heaps of applications from India and abroad," he added.