**Revival of Elite Hockey Competition Set to Thrill Fans**
After a seven-year hiatus, India’s premier domestic hockey competition is making a comeback later this year. The highly anticipated tournament will feature eight men’s teams and six women’s teams, with matches taking place at two venues: Rourkela and Ranchi. The action kicks off on December 28, with the opening ceremony scheduled to take place on the same day in Rourkela.
**Meet the Teams**
The men’s teams will represent Chennai, Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, Odisha, Hyderabad, Ranchi, and Punjab, while the women’s teams will represent Delhi, Kolkata, Odisha, and Haryana. Two more women’s team owners are yet to be confirmed.
**Player Auction**
A player auction will be held on October 13-15 in New Delhi, where players can register themselves under three categories: Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh. Each franchise will build a 24-player squad, consisting of at least 16 Indian players and 8 international stars.
**Venues and Schedule**
The matches will take place at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi and the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. Ranchi will host all the women’s matches, while the men’s matches will take place in Rourkela. The women’s league final is scheduled for January 26, 2025, in Ranchi, while the men’s final will be held on February 1 in Rourkela.
**Significance of the Revival**
The revival of this elite competition is significant, as it will involve world-class players and coaches, providing a platform for Indian players to gain valuable experience and exposure. The previous editions played a crucial role in improving the standards of the Indian men’s hockey team, which led to Olympic medal wins. The inclusion of women’s teams is expected to have a similar impact on the national women’s team.
**Future Editions**
There are indications that the competition will become an annual feature, with the Federation of International Hockey earmarking a specific window for the tournament over the next five years.
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