Indian Women Hockey Players Make Emotional Plea to Save Women’s Hockey India League
New Delhi: Indian women hockey players have made an emotional appeal for the continuation of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL), saying the tournament has played a crucial role in strengthening the confidence and competitiveness of a young national team.
Veteran midfielder Neha said the Women’s HIL has provided a level of competition that is not available at the junior and senior National Championships. She stressed that the league has also helped inspire more girls across India to take up hockey.
“In the last two years, HIL for women has benefited us a lot. Junior and senior Nationals do not have this level of competition,” Neha said.
She pointed out that players such as Baljeet, Sakshi and Rutuja have benefited from the league and are now part of India’s World Cup squad. “For upcoming players also, we need this league. It should not be discontinued,” she added.
India captain Salima Tete also highlighted the importance of HIL in expanding the country’s talent pool. According to her, several players from the league have earned opportunities to enter national camps and compete for a place in the Indian team.
“We have many players from HIL in the Indian team. They get a chance to be selected for the national camp, which is an important opportunity for them,” Salima said.
She added that the team’s current progress is only the beginning and that continued exposure to high-pressure competition is essential.
“This is just the beginning for us and there is much more to achieve. For that, HIL is a must so that our talent pool is broadened and the girls get good exposure to handling the pressure of international hockey,” she said.
With India’s women’s team aiming for its best-ever World Cup finish since 1974, the players believe the Women’s HIL could remain a key pathway for developing the next generation of Indian hockey talent.
By Sakshi Rana