Still not over Pakistani players’ antics at the Champions Trophy in Bhubaneswar, Hockey India chief Narinder Batra stated that they won’t be part of the Hockey India league (HIl) till their federation (PHF) doesn’t apologise on their behalf.
In a prelude to the cash rich league’s auction on Thursday, where players from 20 countries will go under the hammer, Batra said Pakistan is an omission and he would be happy to have them but only after a due apology.
“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 politicise the issue but that kind of behaviour was unacceptable. least we need an apology from them,” said the national body’s president.
He also added that political disruptions in Mumbai would be added concerns so he would steer clear of it.
After Pakistan beat India in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy, some players from the rival team resorted to vulgar gestures and took off their shirts in celebration. Two players were handed one game bans and others were reprimanded for their actions. The final only went ahead after Pakistan’s coachShahnaz Sheikh apologised for his team’s behaviour but later changed his stance and put the blame on India calling it a “conspiracy”.
Nine players from Pakistan had been picked to play in the first edition of the HIl but later returned because of political protests.
With 135 Indian and 137 foreign players up for grabs, there were questions why senior Indian players such as former custodian Adrian D’Souza were not on the list while there are no age restrictions for foreign players. “It is nothing personal and not an issue for me. The idea is to include youngsters so they can work with the best players in the world and we can move towards the future. So we’re only doing this by keeping the Indian national team in the back of our mind,” said Batra.
As a boost to the national side and the junior teams, Batra informed there would be appointments of specialists. In that regard, an analytical coach will come in for the men’s team by November 1 and a scientific advisor will come in for the junior men’s team. Both senior women’s and junior team would get an analytical coach and a scientific advisor.
Batra clarified that Gurbaj Singh can be picked from a reserve pool if his nine-month suspension is lifted on 18 September - a day after the auction. Gurbaj is facing disciplinary action for supposedly indulging in groupism and creating disharmony in the team.
He also shared that Hockey India are in advanced talks with Hero Group for a five-year contract renewal after their three year deal ended this year. The hockey body has already signed an extension with Star Sports.
2 goals for 1 in HIl
To make the league more interesting and push teams to score more, season 4’s HIl will have a field goal count as two goals.
In a set of wholesome changes to the upcoming season, the squad size has also been reduced from 24 to 20 (12 Indian and 8 foreign). Furthermore, a minimum of two goalkeepers will be required to be on the bench at all times.
But the biggest change will be to count each field goal as two goals while a penalty corner will continue to count as 1. Batra shared that FIH — sport’s international body — has given the nod for such a rule change. Previously, four quarters of 15 minutes each rule was tested during the HIl before it became internationally applicable.
For each win, a team will get five points, the losing team 1 point if the goal difference is of 2 or less, 0 points if a bigger margin and two points to both teams if the game ends as a draw.
These rule changes mean franchise owners arelikely to go for goal poachers in the auction rather than penalty corner specialists as had been the norm so far. In fact, all five top goalscorers last season were drag-flickers with Ashley Williams (12) leading the pack.
Batra defended the rather confusing rules by stating that the intention is to promote skillful hockey and not give in to teams who have better drag flickers. “Penalty corners give undue advantage to those teams which have penalty corner specialists. The teams also fight to earn penalty corners rather than scoring goals through field penetration.
“The new system will encourage teams and players to play to score goals instead of looking for penalties. The system will surely enhance players’ skills and mentality of playing good hockey,” he added.