Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey reaches out to ministers, corporates to secure HIL’s future

KOLKATA: Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has stepped up efforts to secure the future of Hockey India League, reaching out to union ministers, corporate houses and franchise stakeholders amid uncertainty over the league’s continuation.Tirkey said he has held a series of meetings recently with Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, JSW Sports’ Parth Jindal, UP BJP vice-president Neeraj Singh, APL Pipers chairman Sanjay Gupta and CEO Mahesh Bhupathi, and Hyderabad Toofans owner Alok Sanghi, besides several other stakeholders and corporate houses.“We are leaving no stone unturned in these conversations, because the survival of this league matters far beyond just one season,” Tirkey said.His efforts come soon after Indian women’s hockey team captain Savita Punia made an appeal for the future of Women’s HIL following the team’s historic fifth-place finish at the World Cup — their best result in 52 years.Tirkey, who captained India and played 412 international matches before taking over as HI president, said he had seen first-hand the impact the inaugural men’s HIL had on Indian hockey. “As a player myself, I have seen first-hand how the first edition of HIL transformed men’s hockey in this country, taking it to a different level altogether,” he said.He believes the Women’s HIL has similarly demonstrated its value in a short period, providing players with a high-level domestic platform and contributing to the growth of the national team. “This time around, the Women’s HIL has already proven its worth in a short span — it played its part in helping our women’s team break into the world’s top five,” added the HI president.With the league’s future now a subject of intense discussion, Tirkey stressed that its importance goes beyond the immediate season and is linked to the development of the next generation of Indian players. “I know, as someone who has lived this game, exactly how important this league is for the next generation of players coming through the system,” he said.Tirkey, however, stopped short of promising a definite outcome, saying that HI was continuing to explore all possible avenues. “I cannot promise an outcome, but I can promise that we will try everything within our power, and reach out to everyone who can help, to give this league the future it deserves,” he added.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.