Revived Hockey India League Hit By Financial Irregularities, Players Yet To Get Their Dues

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The revived Hockey India League sanctioned by FIH (International Hockey Federation) and conducted by Hockey India (HI) in Odisha face financial irregularities as respective franchises haven't paid the dues of the players.

Till the time of filling the copy, one of the players has got only 20 percent of her money. "I just got 20 percent of the amount promised during the players auction," the player told Mykhel over the phone.

The player was clueless about the remaining 80 percent. "I hope it will be credited soon to my account," the female hockey player added. Till the time of filling of the copy the player has got only 20 percent of her money.

The window of the rejuvenated 2024-2025 HIL league was December 28,2024 to February 1, 2025 and the respective team owners-eight in the men's group and four in the women's section---were supposed to clear all the dues of the players, coaching staff by February 15.

Dilip Tirkey, Olympian and president of Hockey India confirmed the development, but was optimistic that all the pending dues of the players will be cleared soon. "There was a HIL review meeting conducted with all the stakeholders in Bhubaneswar recently," Tirkey told Mykhel over the phone, adding, the financial issues of the players will be sorted out soon.

The men's 2024-2025 HIL trophy went to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and the contest took place between eight teams. The winners of the men's title were supposed to be richer by Rs 3 crores, while Odisha Warriors emerged winners in the four-team competition and took home a prize purse of Rs 1.5 crores. The HI, the national governing body of hockey India has also announced several cash awards, including player of the tournament award, during the HIL competition. It couldn't be verified whether teams or the individual players have got the cash awards as HI president was reluctant to share details.

"The franchise's owners were disappointed from the start of the players auction as things didn't go on expected lines," a senior official of one of the HIL teams said. "There were huge unexpected losses during the 2024-2055 edition of HIL. The shortcomings weren't addressed."

Hinting HI didn't play their role as promised during the revived league. The HI has posted more than 10 circulars related to 2024-2025 edition of HIL on its website and weren't put to practical use, it seems.

For a record the previous several players and coaching staff weren't paid their dues by the team owners during the previous edition of the HIL started in 2013 and ended abruptly.

Men's teams of 2024-2025 HIL are namely UP Rudras, Team Gonasika, Tamil Nadu Dragons, Shrahchi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Vedanta Kalinga Kancers, Hyderabad Toofans, Delhi SG Pipers. Women's HIL includes Soorma Hockey Club, Odisha Warriors, Rarh Bengal Tigers and Delhi SG Pipers.