New Delhi: The country's 90 best players, including all the 16 members of the London Olympics team, will be part of next month's players' auction for the inaugural Hockey India League to be held in January-February next year.
Hockey India secretary general and chairman of HIL Narinder Batra on Wednesday said that the creme de la creme of Indian hockey, including the 32 junior players who are receiving a stipend of Rs 10,000 each a month, have signed up for the HIL Players Auction.
"We are delighted that top Indian players will be able to rub shoulders with the world's best during the Hockey India League," he said in a statement.
Bharat Chetri, who led India in Olympics, and PR Sreejesh are among the goal-keepers while drag-flick exponents Sandeep Singh, VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh are among the 14 full-backs who have signed for the prestigious league.
India vice-captain Sardar Singh leads the list of 25 midfielders while SV Sunil, Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker and Gurvinder Singh Chandi are among the 41 forwards.
"We are pleased with the progress of HIL. Sahara India, Jaypee Group and Uniexcel Group have already taken up HIL franchises for Lucknow, Punjab and Ranchi respectively. We will soon announce the remaining three franchisees," Batra said.
"We have released a list of 14 Pakistan players who have agreed to be a part of the HIL Players' Auction and will soon announce players from other top hockey playing nations," he said.
"We are confident that Hockey India League will succeed in capturing the imagination of the sports lovers in India and overseas. The fact that FIH (International Hockey Federation) has earmarked a window for the league shows its importance. It has evoked enormous interest among players and coaches and promises to be a one-of-a-kind event," Batra added.
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