Window of opportunity

Within a month, Indian hockey has moved on from the hopelessness of finishing last at the Olympics to dreams of a long-awaited turnaround. With the Hockey India League's (HIL) 'i's getting dotted and 't's being crossed, the IPL-isation of the game promises to give it new wheels.

Twice in the past, India has seen attempts to market the game through such innovative leagues. The Premier Hockey League lasted from 2005 to 2008, but with its one-venue model and limited corporate involvement, the impact was limited. The rebel venture, the World Hockey Series, lacks both legitimacy and star power. Strangely, HIL's late entry — it kicks off next year — proves to be its advantage. This has helped it not just to learn lessons from the mistakes committed by the older hockey leagues, but also to tighten the template borrowed from the IPL. By getting the world body to provide it with an exclusive window, the HIL time-frame will not clash with any international hockey event across the globe. Besides, HIL has been consciously low-profile, bordering on the conservative, in announcing corporate tie-ups, and in declaring financial projections. The bursting of the over-valued IPL bubble, which saw two teams being scrapped, has made HIL officials wary of hollow hype.

Since hockey has just one format, HIL is immune from the kind of criticism that T20 cricket receives daily. Also, there will be no fears of HIL youngsters compromising on technique or endurance to play the game. It will remain a 70-minute affair on the hockey field but the players will have to run harder, pass faster and trap stronger to get the team owners' attention. While the league will see foreign stars pocket fat cheques, Indian players can also learn as they earn. It's a win-win situation for all, if the ever-squabbling hockey officials don't mess this up.

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