‘Save Women’s HIL’: Indian Hockey Stars Make Emotional Plea as League Faces Uncertain Future
NEW DELHI: As the Indian women’s hockey team stands on the precipice of its most significant World Cup finish in over half a century, the squad’s core has issued an urgent, emotional plea to preserve the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL). The players fear that without the league, the professional pathway that has bridged the gap between domestic talent and international excellence could be severed.
A Historic Run Powered by Experience
Despite a roster featuring 11 World Cup debutants, India has displayed remarkable resilience on the global stage. After a narrow defeat to the formidable Olympic champions, the Netherlands, and a hard-fought 2-2 draw against China, the team is now poised to compete for a fifth-place finish. A victory in this final match would mark India’s best World Cup performance since 1974.
The players are unequivocal: this success is not accidental. They credit the Women’s HIL for providing the high-intensity exposure necessary to compete against the world’s best.
Developing the Next Generation
Veteran midfielder Neha, who steered the Odisha Warriors to the inaugural HIL title in the 2024-25 season, emphasized that the league serves as a vital incubator for emerging talent.
“In the last two years, HIL for women has benefited us immensely. The competition level at the Junior and Senior Nationals simply doesn’t compare,” Neha told reporters. “The league has introduced us to talents like Baljeet, Sakshi, and Rutuja—players who are now cornerstones of this World Cup squad. We cannot afford to let this discontinue.”
Captain Salima Tete echoed these sentiments, noting that the HIL has effectively widened the national team’s talent pool. “For the girls to handle the pressure of international hockey, the HIL is an absolute must,” Tete added. “This is just the beginning for us, and we have much more to achieve.”
Breaking the Psychological Barrier
For younger players, the league has served as a confidence booster. Sakshi Rana, who has thrived under the tutelage of international stars, noted that the professional environment helps demystify elite opponents.
“Sharing the dressing room with world-class players like top-scorer Yibbi Janssen taught us so much about handling pressure,” said Rana. Teammate Navneet Kaur added that the league has successfully erased the “fear factor.”
“Playing with the biggest names in the sport, we realized they are just like us,” Kaur explained. “That realization—that we are capable of beating them because we have trained and competed alongside them—has been the biggest game-changer for our self-belief.”
A Call for Corporate Support
Despite the tangible success on the pitch, the Women’s HIL is currently fighting for survival against significant financial headwinds, including high operating costs and a scarcity of sponsorship.
Navneet, the former player of the tournament, has issued a direct appeal to the corporate sector and policymakers. “We know that some teams are considering pulling out, but at a time when our performance graph is finally trending upward, this would be a devastating setback,” she said.
“I urge the Sports Ministry, Hockey India, and the corporate world—which invests so heavily in other sports—to support women’s hockey. Our league doesn’t require massive capital; it requires belief and exposure. Please, save the Women’s HIL.”
As the league grapples with reports of financial instability and high franchise fees, the message from the national team is clear: the HIL is not just a tournament—it is the foundation of the future of Indian women’s hockey.
