India men’s hockey team skipper Harmanpreet Singh believes the women’s national side will significantly benefit from the Hockey India League (HIL), much like it benefitted his team, propelling them towards Olympic success.
The upcoming Hockey India League will feature eight teams in the men’s competition and six teams in the women’s event, marking the first-ever edition for women. The Indian men’s hockey team, after a gap of 50 years, secured back-to-back Olympic medals, a feat partially attributed to the exposure provided by the HIL.
“The impact of the HIL can be seen to this day in the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. The team’s success in the Olympics is due to the exposure the league provided us at a young age,” Harmanpreet stated in a media release. “Rubbing shoulders with players you look up to and competing with and against them daily improved us more than we could imagine.”
The skipper expressed optimism about the introduction of the Women’s HIL. “With the Women’s HIL also commencing this time, I am certain that it will propel the Indian Women’s Hockey Team to greater heights in the future,” he added.
Harmanpreet’s recognition in the league continues to soar as he became the most expensive player in HIL history, being acquired by Soorma Hockey Club for a staggering Rs 78 lakh.
