PHL ready to take-off

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has finally announced the teams for Tier I for the inaugural Professional Hockey League (PHL) to be held ...

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has finally announced the teams for Tier I for the inaugural Professional Hockey League (PHL) to be held at the SAAP Stadium at Gachibowli from January 13.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, IHF president KPS Gill said 13 foreign players — 10 from Pakistan, two from Malaysia and one from Spain — will be seen in action in the month-long tournament. ‘‘It is a new beginning and Hyderabad has been chosen as the venue as it has tremendous infrastructure. It also happens to be the only city to have floodlights. By next year, Chennai, Chandigarh, Delhi and Bhopal will also have these facilities and they will have the opportunity to host the tournament,’’ said Gill.

Asked about the poor response from foreign players, Gill said that most of the players were already playing for their clubs: ‘‘From next year we will make the tournament more competitive with more foreign players.’’

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The world’s highest goal-getter Sohail Abbas of Pakistan will play for Hyderabad Sultans, which will be led by Indian captain Dilip Tirkey.

When asked on what basis the teams were selected, Gill said ‘‘since it was a start we had to do a balancing act. From next year, it will be left to the management to get the players.’’

Gill also announced that Dhanraj Pillay will feature in the PHL, and play for Maratha Warriors. Gill said he saw nothing wrong in picking veterans like Pillay and Baljit Dhillon for the meet because ‘‘if the senior players can still play and excel, it is good’’, despite the plan being to make the Indian team a juniors-heavy side.

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