Sports Ministry Forms Panel To Revive Hockey India League
The Sports Ministry has formally constituted a seven-member committee comprising representatives of Hockey India, Hockey India League (HIL) franchises and the ministry to work on the revival of the crisis-hit competition.
The development follows a meeting held by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya with Hockey India officials and franchise representatives in September, where concerns surrounding the league were discussed.
A ministry source told PTI that Sports Ministry joint secretary (Khelo India) Vineel Krishna, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, secretary general Bhola Nath Singh and treasurer Sekar J Manoharan are part of the committee.
The three franchise representatives on the panel are Alok Sanghi, Mahesh Bhupathi and Divyanshu Singh.
Committee To Review HIL Structure
The committee will work on the governance model, financial structure and overall framework of the league, with the ministry directing stakeholders to address the issues on priority.
A panel involving Hockey India, franchise representatives and a senior Sports Ministry official had been proposed after last month’s meeting. The committee was also asked to submit its report to the ministry within a stipulated timeframe.
The latest order formally brings all key stakeholders together, with the government having direct representation in the process.
The future of the next HIL season remains uncertain as franchises seek greater clarity over the competition’s governance and financial structure.
Women’s League Faces Financial Strain
The development comes after Indian women’s hockey players, including captain Salima Tete and Savita Punia, made an emotional public appeal during the World Cup in August to save the Women’s Hockey India League from discontinuation amid financial difficulties.
India finished fifth at the World Cup, its best result in the competition since 1974.
The HIL was relaunched in 2024 following a seven-year hiatus and has provided Indian and overseas players with an important platform for domestic competition and exposure.
However, its long-term sustainability has emerged as a concern amid rising costs and uncertainty over franchise participation.
Hockey India Power Struggle Adds Complexity
The ministry’s intervention also comes amid an ongoing power struggle within Hockey India.
President Dilip Tirkey and secretary general Bhola Nath Singh have publicly differed on several administrative issues in recent weeks, including a dispute over the team’s jersey ahead of the World Cup.
The new committee will now be tasked with finding a sustainable framework for the league while addressing the concerns raised by its various stakeholders.
