Ranchi will be hosting seven out of 34 league matches of Hero Hockey India league (HIl) 2014. This second year of HIl is to be inaugurated at Punjab’s Mohali city’s on January 25.
At Ranchi, the game begins from January 26. Interestingly, like last phase, the semi final and finals of this tournament are also included in this schedule.
Despite this announcement notified by Hockey India, Jharkhand Government seems to have ignored the renovation of Morhabadi’s Astro Turf hockey stadium skipped during the first HIl.
“One of the high mast-light of the stadium has not been working since the first league. Moreover, the water splinter here does not cover the central point of the turf,” said an official of Hockey Jharkhand.
Adding further, the official said, “These technicalities would definitely create hurdles in the game as it is a night sports event broadcasted live to many countries across the globe.”
However, showing a no-response to this problem, none of the concerned state sports authorities including State Sports Director Dadan Chaubey, Sports Secretary Vandana Dadel and Sports Director answered to the query. “Please ask the Sports Secretary,” said Sports Director. The remaining mentioned persons on the other hand did not receive telephone calls made by The Pioneer on Sunday.
Instead, of five franchisee teams, six would be contesting this international hockey meet involving Ranchi Rhinos (winner of HIl 2013), Delhi Waveriders, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Dabur Mumbai Magicians and Odisha Kalinga (the new team).
According to HIl Chairman Dr Narinder Batra the final tournament will be held at Ranchi on February 23.
In the inaugural season, 70 top domestic players including the Indian national side as well as 50 international players who are part of the national squads of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, and Argentina played on behalf of five teams.
In context to this game, this week probably, 95 Indian players of HIl would be participating in a mini-auction organized by Hockey India at New Delhi consisting 10 goalkeepers, 16 defenders, 27 midfielders and 42 forwards.