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Delhi SG Pipers have bolstered their squad for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) season by signing three-time Olympian Jacob 'Jake' Whetton of Australia. The 33-year-old midfielder joins the Pipers as a replacement for Dutchman Jorrit Croon, who has withdrawn due to an ankle injury.Whetton brings a wealth of experience to the Delhi franchise, having played 253 games for the Australian national team, the Kookaburras. He has scored 75 goals for his country and has been instrumental in their success on the international stage.In 2021, Whetton helped Australia win the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He was also part of the team that won the World Cup in 2014 and finished third in 2018. Additionally, he has won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, Gold Coast 2018, and Birmingham 2022.Whetton's impressive resume also includes two Champions Trophy titles (2012 and 2018), a bronze medal in 2014, four Oceania Cup titles, and an FIH Pro League gold in 2019.Delhi SG Pipers head coach Graham Reid expressed his excitement about Whetton's signing, saying, "Jacob's experience and skill set will be invaluable in filling the void left by Jorrit. His ability to control the midfield aligns perfectly with our game strategy."Whetton is familiar with Reid's coaching style, having worked with him in the past. He is expected to bring energy and expertise to the Pipers team.The HIL is making a comeback after a seven-year hiatus and will run from December 28 to February 1. The Pipers will be hoping to make a strong impact in the tournament with the addition of Whetton to their squad.

Delhi SG Pipers Acquire Olympic Medalist Lily Owsley for Women's Hockey India LeagueDelhi SG Pipers have made a significant move by signing England's star hockey midfielder Lily Owsley for the inaugural season of the Women's Hockey India League (HIL). The 29-year-old two-time Olympic medalist will replace Dutch midfielder Xan de Waard, who withdrew from the tournament due to personal reasons.Owsley is a highly decorated player with an impressive resume. She was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the bronze medal-winning team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Additionally, she has won gold and silver medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022 and Glasgow 2014, respectively. Her trophy cabinet also includes two European Championship medals: gold in London 2015 and bronze in Amstelveen 2017.Delhi SG Pipers women's team coach Dave Smolenaars expressed his delight at acquiring Owsley's services. "Losing Xan de Waard is a setback, but being able to replace her with a 2-time Olympic medal winner like Lily Owsley is a big relief," Smolenaars said. "She will bring in her experience, leadership, and high-speed play to help the team reach its potential."The Women's HIL, scheduled to commence on December 28, will feature four teams: Delhi SG Pipers, Odisha Warriors, Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Soorma Hockey Club. The tournament final will be held in Ranchi on February 1, 2023.Owsley's addition to the Delhi SG Pipers squad is expected to bolster their chances of success in the inaugural edition of the Women's HIL. Her experience, skill, and leadership will be invaluable assets to the team as they aim to make a mark in the tournament.

Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian hockey captain, emerged as the most sought-after player at the Hockey India League auctions, fetching a staggering ₹78 lakh from Soorma Hockey Club. The ace drag-flicker's acquisition set the tone for a bidding frenzy, with several Indian national team players commanding prices far exceeding their base price of ₹10 lakh.Abhishek Nain became the second-most expensive buy at ₹72 lakh, snapped up by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. India vice-captain Hardik Singh was acquired by UP Rudras for ₹70 lakh. Jugraj Singh (Bengal) and Amit Rohidas (Tamil Nadu Dragons) rounded out the top Indian buys at ₹48 lakh each.Among the overseas players, Gonzalo Peillat was the most coveted, triggering a fierce bidding war before being acquired by Hyderabad Toofans for a massive ₹68 lakh. The Argentine-turned-German became the fourth most expensive player overall, surpassing Dutch drag-flicker Jip Janssen, who went for ₹54 lakh to Tamil Nadu Dragons.Youngsters Araijit Singh Hundal and Rohit also had impressive outings, fetching ₹42 lakh (Gonasika) and ₹40 lakh (SG Pipers) respectively. Australian forward Jeremy Hayward (JSW, ₹42 lakh) and Dutchman Lars Balk (UP, ₹40 lakh) were the other prominent foreign buys.However, Gurjant Singh and Mandeep Singh were left disappointed, receiving only ₹19 lakh and ₹25 lakh respectively as teams initially hesitated before gaining momentum.The auction also witnessed some confusion when Dutch goalkeeper Maurits Visser was put up for bidding before franchises were informed of his withdrawal, forcing last-minute adjustments.Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey acknowledged that the ₹4 crore purse was insufficient, stating that the possibility of increasing it next year would be considered after reviewing feedback from franchises.

The revival of the Hockey India League (HIL) has sparked excitement among hockey enthusiasts, with former captain Sardar Singh expressing optimism about its impact on the sport. The league's return after a seven-year hiatus is expected to revitalize Indian hockey and provide a platform for young players to showcase their talent.Over 1,000 players have registered for the HIL 2024-25 Players' Auction, scheduled for October 13-14 (men's) and October 15 (women's). The league's comeback is seen as a significant step towards reviving Indian hockey's golden era."The HIL will be bigger and better this time around," said Sardar Singh. "With a Women's league being held concurrently, the League is set to revive Indian hockey's golden era."The HIL provides a high-performance environment for players, allowing them to compete against and alongside some of the best in the world. This exposure to different cultures and mindsets creates a valuable learning experience for young players.Sardar Singh, who captained the Indian team at the age of 21, believes the HIL has played a crucial role in identifying and grooming talented players. "Current mainstays in the team; Harmanpreet, Mandeep, Sumit and many more were identified and groomed in the HIL," he said.The league's return is expected to expand the pool of potential players for the Indian Hockey Teams. By providing a platform for young players to gain experience at the highest level, the HIL will contribute to the development of a stronger and more competitive national team.The HIL's impact extends beyond the field, fostering a sense of community and passion for hockey. The league's return is a testament to the sport's enduring popularity in India and its potential to inspire future generations of players.

The much-anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) is set to make a grand return after a seven-year hiatus, with both men's and women's teams participating in the event from December 28. The men's competition will feature eight teams, while six sides will compete in the women's event, which is being held for the first time. The league will be played in two venues — Rourkela for men and Ranchi for women — from December 28 to February 1.The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has granted a 10-year sanction for the HIL. The player auction for the league will be held from October 13 to 15. A total of 10 franchise owners have come on board, and players will be auctioned in three categories: Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.The return of the HIL is not only a significant moment in the history of the sport but also a major step forward in promoting women's hockey. The introduction of an exclusive women's league within the HIL framework is seen as providing a platform for female athletes to showcase their prowess, paving the way for a more inclusive and competitive future for Indian hockey.The franchise owners of the men's event are:* Chennai – Charles Group* Lucknow – Yadu Sports* Punjab – JSW Sports* West Bengal – Shrachi Sports* Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment, owned by tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi* Odisha – Vedanta Limited* Hyderabad – Resolute Sports* Ranchi – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private LimitedThe women team owners are:* Haryana – JSW Sports* West Bengal – Shrachi Sports* Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment* Odisha - Navoyam Sports Ventures Private LimitedThe remaining two franchise owners of the women's league will be announced later. Each franchise will have a 24-player squad, consisting of at least 16 Indian players (with a mandatory inclusion of four junior players) and eight international stars.The final of the women's league is scheduled for January 26 next year in Ranchi, while the men's summit clash will be held on February 1 in Rourkela. Hockey India president and chairman of HIL, Dilip Tirkey, expressed his delight at the revival of the league, saying it was his dream since taking over the charge of the federation."Premier Hockey League started the culture of league in the world. Since the day we were elected it was our dream to revive the league and today the dream has been fulfilled," Tirkey said during the launch of the event in New Delhi on Friday (October 4, 2024)."HIL has been and will be a supply chain for the national teams. HIL is going to create a history for the sport. HIL is very important for world hockey. We are thankful to International Hockey Federation (FIH) for giving us 35 days window," he said.HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh agreed with Tirkey, saying starting the HIL was their aim from day one after taking charge of the federation."The first day we joined our first though was to restart HIL. It was long time waiting. Hockey is not just a sport in India, it is in our hearts," Singh said.He also announced that the Odisha government has extended its sponsorship deal with Indian hockey till 2036.

Following India's second consecutive bronze medal finish in the Paris Olympics, Hockey India (HI) has begun planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. HI President Dilip Tirkey, a former India captain, outlined the federation's vision."We need to start preparing for the 2028 Olympics now. After the 2026 Asian Games, which is a qualifying event for the Olympics, the coach and selectors must collaborate to determine which players from the current team can compete in Los Angeles," Tirkey stated.With three players in their 30s and nine expected to be over 30 in four years, HI must consider the team's age profile. Tirkey emphasized the importance of performing well in major events such as the World Cup and FIH Pro League.The revival of the Hockey India League (HIL) is seen as a way to promote young talent. "Young players and domestic coaches will benefit. The addition of a women's competition is crucial," Tirkey said.HI faces challenges in managing the HIL, which was launched in 2013 and lasted for five editions. "The bigger challenge is making it successful in the long term. The franchises have been more or less finalized. The Odisha Government continues to be our backbone. I hope corporate houses will participate enthusiastically to support hockey," Tirkey added.To make domestic events more attractive, HI has made some of them mandatory for all players, including the National Championships. However, the federation may need to reconsider this decision due to the increased number of international events.Tirkey believes that the introduction of junior and sub-junior inter-zonal championships this year will provide youngsters with more competitive exposure. "More exposure will sharpen the skills of our under-17 and under-19 players," he said.