Over 1,000 Players to Go Under the Hammer in Hockey India League Auction
The Hockey India League (HIL) is set to host a grand three-day players’ auction from October 13-15 in New Delhi. Over 1,000 players, including 400 Indians and 150 foreigners, will be up for grabs in the auction.
The men’s auction, scheduled for Sunday and Monday, will feature a star-studded lineup. India’s bronze medal-winning team from the Paris Olympics, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh and vice-captain Hardik Singh, will be among the top attractions. Seasoned players like Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh will also be in the fray.
Notably, former players Rupinder Pal Singh, Birendra Lakra, and Dharamvir Singh have also registered for the auction. International icons like Arthur van Doren, Alexander Hendrickx, Gonzalo Peillat, Jip Janssen, Thierry Brinkman, and Dayaan Cassiem will add global flair to the event.
The women’s league, which will be held from December 28 to January 26 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, will feature six teams. Around 250 Indian and 70 overseas players have registered for the auction.
Goalkeeper Savita, captain Salima Tete, rising star Deepika, Vandana Katariya, and Lalremsiami are among the prominent Indian players who will be up for grabs. Former India players Yogita Bali, Lilima Minz, and Namita Toppo have also entered their names.
International stars like Delfina Merino, Charlotte Stapenhorst, Maria Granatto, Rachael Lynch, and Nike Lorenz will add depth to the women’s auction.
Over 600 players have registered for the lowest base price category of ₹2 lakh, while 250 have entered their names for the ₹5 lakh class. An additional 250 players have put their names in the top tier ₹10 lakh category.
Each team will consist of 24 players, including 16 Indians (with a mandatory inclusion of four juniors) and eight overseas players. The auction promises to be a thrilling event that will shape the rosters of the eight HIL teams for the upcoming season.