VR Raghunath Excited About Return of Hockey India League

Former Indian hockey defender VR Raghunath is thrilled about the return of the Hockey India League (HIL) after a 7-year break. He believes the league will help identify talent and provide a platform for players to showcase their skills.

Details of the League

The HIL will feature eight men’s and six women’s teams, with players from the top 15 hockey-playing nations. The season will be held from the last week of December 2024 to the first week of February 2025.

Importance of the League

Raghunath emphasized that the league will play a crucial role in talent identification and will help domestic players showcase their skills to selectors. He mentioned that players like Manpreet Singh and Harmanpreet Singh were discovered through the HIL.

Exclusive Women’s HIL

This will be the first time an exclusive women’s HIL will be hosted, highlighting the federation’s vision to promote women’s hockey in India.

Raghunath’s Experience

Raghunath recalled his own positive experiences in the league, where he played for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards and learned a lot from international players. He believes the league will be a great opportunity for young players to understand the game better and gain exposure.