Hockey India on Sunday announced DoIT Sports Management (India) Pvt. Ltd as the new owner of the Mumbai franchise, taking the total number of teams back to the original six in the Hockey India League (HIL).
The Mumbai franchise, originally owned by Dabur, was dismantled recently due to financial issues. Along with Ranchi Rhinos, the pullout had reduced the number of original owners in the HIL to four before Pune came on board as one of the new teams two days back.
However, the present batch of players contracted to the Mumbai team would not be retained and would be part of the min-auction to be held towards end of October.
“Along with the players released by Ranchi and Mumbai, which includes several top Indian and international stars, there will be at least 50 new international and 60 Indian players available at the auction. Once the three-year period is over, there will be open auctions next year,” Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra said.
DoIT Sports Management, led by Radha Kapoor, made its foray into sports early this year by owning the Delhi franchise in the Pro Kabaddi League. The team finished sixth out of eight teams in the inaugural edition.
“We welcome DoIT Sports Management on board the Hockey India League. As they already have immense knowledge in the sports arena, we are confident they will have a positive impact on this season’s HIL,” Batra said.
“The pride and passion associated with hockey, India’s most successful Olympic team sport, is well known. DoIT Sports aims to take the same passion and pride to the field. DoIT Sports is committed to contributing towards grassroots development of hockey in India,” Kapoor said on joining the HIL.
Asked about the projected increase in the number of teams in HIL, Batra claimed that existing arrangements with everyone, including the franchises and the broadcasters, restricted the number to six for the first three years. “Chennai and Bangalore are already on board as the two new teams for the HIL as we look to spread the league to south India as well. But we can add them only from the fourth year onwards,” Batra said.
The third edition of the HIL would be held in January-February 2015.
