With the purchase of its franchise, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Shrachi Sports announced its debut in the Hockey India League (IHL). In this hockey league, West Bengal will have a team for the first time.

The sixth season of the IHL, which is run by Hockey India, is scheduled to begin in December and go through February. A big change coming this season is that every club will have a men’s and women’s team, encouraging equitable participation. World-class hockey talent was assembled in the Hockey India League, which took place from 2013 to 2017. The sixth season of the competition is back after a seven-year break, helped by the recent victories of the Indian men’s hockey team in the Olympics in Tokyo and Paris.

“We are excited to partner with the Indian Hockey League this season and look forward to a long-term relationship with our franchise, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. Regarding our men’s and women’s teams’ performances in this event, we have high hopes. The IHL is essential in giving India’s hockey talent access to first-rate facilities and exposure” said Rahul Todi, Managing Director of Shrachi Sports.

Tennis legend Leander Paes attended the occasion as well, and he hailed the project as a step in the right direction for Indian hockey.

The tournament will include eight teams representing various regions: Chennai, Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, Odisha, Hyderabad, Ranchi, and Punjab, supported by corporate entities like Charles Group, Yadu Sports, SG Sports-Entertainment, Vedanta, Resolute Sports, Navoyam Sports, and JSW Sports, alongside the Shrachi Group. 

The selection of the players will take place in October through an auction process, with base prices set at Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.

Priyanka Dutta