India captain Sardar Singh and drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh would be the top picks when 135 Indian players and 137 foreign players go under the hammer at the auction for Hockey India league (HIl) season 4.
As against the first auction which bound players for a three year contract, this time they will be bound for two seasons. Moreover, the squad size has been reduced from 24 to 20. This squad of 20 will need to include 12 Indians and 8 foreigners with 3 goalkeepers.
Among the foreigners, Jamie Dwyer, Nicolas Jacobi and Andrew Hayward are some of the stars who are likely to draw big money from the six franchises.
With the newly introduced rule of two goals for one in case of field goals, strikers and goal poachers will be much sought after as against penalty corner specialists. This would mean the franchise owners, the staff and the coaches will have to work much more in tandem to get the balance of the team right.
The highest base price for Indian players has been set at $20,000 which includes the likes of Sardar, India’s second goalkeeper Harjot Singh, Rupinder, Dharamvir Singh and Akashdeep Singh to name a few.
However in the foreign players department, the maximum base price is of $30,000 which is commanded by Tyler lovell, Francisco Cortes, Simon Orchard and lucas Rey.
All teams have retained a few players already with Dabang Mumbai retaining 1 Indian and 2 foreigners; Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Ranchi Rays retaining 3 Indians and 3 foreigns; and Kalinga lancers along with Uttar Pradesh Wizards retaining 3 Indians and 2 foreigners.
With the least number of players retained, Mumbai will enjoy the option of loosening their purse strings the most at the auction as against Ranchi Rays who have to be more cautious with their spending as they’ve retained the services of heavyweights Ashley Jackson, Barry Middleton and Manpreet Singh.
PHF proposes talks with Hockey India
Karachi: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday proposed to hold talks with Hockey India to resolve a stand-off, which has prevented its players from participating in a cash-rich Indian league for their indecent behaviour during last year’s Champions Trophy.
PHF secretary and legendary Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed said not participating in the league was a ‘setback’ for the Pakistani players as they not only lose an opportunity to improve their game but also earn well.
However Pakistan hockey captain Muhammad Imran said that Hockey India’s demand for an apology was ‘childish’.
“Their demand for an apology is childish. Because when the incident happened soon afterwards the FIH banned two of our players and rebuked Shafqat Rasool. It also accepted our stance so the matter was over then why dig it up now” Imran said.
Ahmed, on his part, said that there was no need for any strong statements and all issues would be resolved through discussions.
Hockey India President Narinder Batra issued a statement on Monday saying:“I would love to have Pakistan players but not with the kind of behaviour they displayed in the Champions Trophy. And they have shown no regret of that incident in writing or otherwise. I don’t want to politicize the issue but that kind of behaviour was unacceptable. least we need an apology from them.”
Batra’s statement came after it was confirmed that no Pakistani player would feature in the lucrative HIl this year.
Batra was referring to the incident that occurred after the semi-final of the last Champions Trophy in December when soon after their 4-3 win, Pakistani players started celebrating their victory in a wild fashion and removed their shirts and some of them making obscene gestures towards the crowd and media, prompting their coach Shahnaz Sheikh to take away his players.
“There is no doubt that it is a setback for our players as they can not only improve their game but also earn well if allowed to play in the Hockey India league. I think Pakistan and India need to improve their hockey ties by holding talks. We would welcome any move by Hockey India to discuss any issues with us,” Shahbaz said.
He pointed out that the Junior World Cup is also due to be held in India next year and he would like to see Pakistan do well in the event.
“My view is clear Pakistan and India need to play bilateral matches as this will not only boost the sport in both countries but also produce brand names in hockey which is way behind when it comes to sponsorships and earnings for players when compared to other sports like cricket,” he added.