154 players from 14 countries, including 95 Indians, will go under the hammer when the Hero Hockey India league’s Closed Bid 2013 takes place at a city hotel here on Friday, nearly two months ahead of the second season of the HIl.
Hockey India Secretary General and HIl Chairman Narinder Batra said the Closed Bid would give the franchisees the chance to buy new players to replace permanent withdrawals and complete their squads for the coming season. “The base prices for the players vary from USD 2,600 to USD 25,000,” he said.
The list of 95 Indians has some young talented players. This includes, forward Affan Yousuf, who was vice-captain of the Indian junior men’s team that won a gold medal in the 3rd Sultan of Johar Cup last month. Forward Ramandeep Singh has also signed for the Closed Bid. Goalkeeper Harjot Singh and forward Mohammad Amir Khan are the other young Indian talents in fray.
Forward Nikin Thimmaiah and defender and dragflicker Gurjinder Singh are also among the stellar attractions. The list of 95 Indians comprises 10 goalkeepers, 16 defenders, 27 midfielders and 42 forwards. Among the overseas stars, Malaysian defender Azlan Misron (317 caps), Korea’s four-time Olympian defender Jongho Seo, New Zealand’s midfielder Ryan Archibald (280 caps), England’s midfielder/forward Barry Middleton (275 caps) and Spanish defender Ramon Alegre (237 caps) will go under the hammer.