Gonasika Unveils New Logo for Hockey India League 2024-25
The Hockey India League (HIL) team Gonasika revealed its new logo in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event was attended by Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey. The upcoming HIL 2024-25 will feature 8 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams, marking the first standalone women’s league in India, running alongside the men’s competition.
Importance of HIL
Dilip Tirkey emphasized the significance of HIL for young players, noting that the world’s best hockey players will participate. He highlighted that HIL will be a top-tier league, beneficial for young Indian players.
League Schedule
The league starts on December 28, with matches at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. The women’s league ends on January 26, 2025, in Ranchi, and the men’s final is on February 1, 2025, in Rourkela.
Team Gonasika Squad
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Oliver Payne (GBR), Suraj Karkera, Kamalbir Singh |
| Defenders | Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amir Ali, Birendra Lakra, Yogember Rawat, Timothy Howard (AUS), Dipsan Tirkey, Anmol Ekka |
| Midfielders | Manpreet Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Lee Morton (SCT), Jack Waller (GBR), Jacob Draper (GBR), Mustapha Cassiem (SA) |
| Forwards | Mandeep Singh, Jeroen Hertzberger (NED), Araijeet Singh Hundal, Tom Boon (NED) |
Doubts Revealed
Gonasika -: Gonasika is a team that plays in the Hockey India League, which is a competition for hockey teams in India.
Hockey India League -: The Hockey India League (HIL) is a professional league for field hockey teams in India, where different teams compete against each other.
Bhubaneswar -: Bhubaneswar is the capital city of the Indian state of Odisha, known for its ancient temples and as a hub for sports events.
Dilip Tirkey -: Dilip Tirkey is a former Indian field hockey player and the current president of Hockey India, the organization that manages hockey in India.
Standalone women’s league -: A standalone women’s league means a separate competition just for women’s teams, without being combined with men’s events.
Ranchi and Rourkela -: Ranchi and Rourkela are cities in India where some of the Hockey India League matches will be played. Ranchi is in Jharkhand, and Rourkela is in Odisha.
