Dilip Tirkey vividly recalls the evening of January 13, 2005, as if it were yesterday. That day, at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium, he led the Hyderabad Sultans, wearing their iconic sky-blue jerseys, in a historic opening match against Sher-e-Jalandhar. This game marked the debut of the Premier Hockey League (PHL), a tournament that would become a precursor to India’s burgeoning franchise-based sports leagues, including the now $16-billion Indian Premier League (IPL), which launched three years later.
“Hockey showed me the way,” Tirkey shared during a recent interview. As India’s hockey captain during the PHL’s initial years, Tirkey played a crucial role in the league’s success, guiding his teams—the Hyderabad Sultans in 2005 and Odisha Steelers in 2007—to championship victories. Later, as a mentor for the Kalinga Lancers in the first Hockey India League (HIL), he also experienced triumph from the dugout in 2017. Now, as the President of Hockey India, Tirkey is tasked with overseeing the much-anticipated revival of the Hockey India League, a challenge that comes with high stakes.
Last week, the league took a significant step forward by unveiling the franchise owners for both the men’s and women’s editions. The men’s teams will represent cities like Chennai (Charles Group), Lucknow (Yadu Sports/JK Cements), Delhi (SG Sports and Entertainment), Kolkata (Shrachi Sports), Odisha (Vedanta Group), Hyderabad (Resolute Sports), Ranchi (Navoyam Sports Ventures), and Punjab (JSW Sports). On the women’s side, Shrachi Sports, SG Sports and Entertainment, JSW Sports, and Navoyam Sports Ventures will own franchises representing Kolkata, Delhi, Haryana, and Odisha, respectively.
A Perfectly Timed Revival
The league’s revival coincides with a promising period for Indian hockey. The Indian men’s team’s back-to-back bronze medal finishes in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics have rejuvenated interest in the sport, setting a solid foundation for the league’s relaunch. According to a 2024 GroupM report, India’s non-cricket sports market commands around $250 million in spending, and hockey’s rich legacy and emotional appeal position it to capture a meaningful share of this pie.
Beyond emotional connections, hockey offers a pragmatic case for investment. Ravneet Gill, co-founder of Big Bang Media Ventures, believes hockey is the only team sport, apart from cricket, where India has a realistic chance of becoming world champions in the near future. However, given hockey’s turbulent history with leagues—both the PHL and the first HIL shut down prematurely—the new league must adapt to modern demands and avoid past mistakes.
Learning from the Past
The PHL, launched in the early 2000s, was a bold experiment, led by Anurag Dahiya during his tenure at ESPN-Star Sports. The league was ahead of its time, introducing city-based teams like the Hyderabad Sultans, Maratha Warriors, and Chennai Veerans. It even pioneered innovations such as dividing games into four quarters instead of two halves, which later became the global standard for hockey.
Despite these advances, the PHL faltered due to financial instability and an alleged corruption scandal involving the Indian Hockey Federation. The subsequent HIL, launched in 2013, showed promise but eventually succumbed to poor financial planning. Franchise owners reported losses of up to ₹10 crore per season, leading to its suspension in 2017.
The 2024 Vision: A Modern Approach
The upcoming league aims to build on past lessons with a fresh perspective. The organizers are prioritizing cost control, opting for a two-venue model in Rourkela and Ranchi to reduce overheads in the initial phase. Franchise costs are estimated to range between ₹15-18 crore per team for the first season, including player fees, marketing expenses, and operational costs. Revenue will be generated through sponsorships and shared central revenue pools, following the IPL’s model.
To capture younger audiences, Hockey India plans to integrate the league into modern digital ecosystems, leveraging social media and streaming platforms. Additionally, the league will debut a women’s edition, addressing the growing recognition of gender equity in sports. While the Indian women’s team didn’t qualify for the Olympics, it remains a consistent top-12 side globally, offering an exciting opportunity to nurture talent.
Building Talent and Sustaining Momentum
A strong domestic league is critical for nurturing talent, as seen in the previous HIL, which developed key players like Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, instrumental in India’s recent Olympic success. Former India international Viren Rasquinha emphasized the league’s importance, noting that it provides a vital platform for emerging players to showcase their skills.
For the league to thrive, it must achieve three objectives: deliver world-class gameplay, create relatable icons, and engage the younger generation. “Hockey must become relevant to the reels generation,” said Gill, emphasizing the importance of aligning the league with contemporary viewing habits.
A Promising Future
The revival of the Hockey India League represents an ambitious step toward revitalizing India’s national sport. While challenges remain, Tirkey is optimistic about its potential. “With long-term commitment from franchises, we can grow the sport to new heights,” he said.
Hockey India is betting on this league to not only reignite the country’s passion for the sport but also establish a sustainable and profitable model for the future. The journey ahead is uncertain, but with a mix of innovation, strategy, and commitment, Indian hockey may finally crack the league code.
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