Hockey India League is close to my heart because it’s for the athletes: FIH President Tayyab Ikram

International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has made it clear that while the window for the Hockey India League was fixed, the exact dates were up to Hockey India and the franchises.

Many overseas players had cited it clashing with Christmas as a reason for pulling out. “How the franchises plan their training and team management is their prerogative. We have no problem with when it starts – December 28 or January 1 – so long as it is in the exclusive window,” Ikram said on Wednesday.

“HIL is close to my heart because it is for the athletes. Globally, we need more platforms that provide athletes with opportunities to perform and receive the recognition they deserve. I believe this is great for global hockey. The HIL coming back is a great first step and I am sure the rest of the world will also come soon. It’s an annual event and I have already started seeing some interest, it is not far that the response of all the countries will be more positive,” he added.

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Ikram also refuted FIH launching a Pakistan-specific project to revive hockey. “Even I was surprised. What I had said in answer to a question was that the FIH was open to helping all nations who wish to revive or develop hockey the way it did with India 14-15 years ago. It can be Korea, Malaysia, Japan, South Africa, Canada, or even the USA. But there has to be equal participation, commitment and investment from the respective national associations and India is the best possible example,” he declared.

Elaborating on his plans to spread top-tier hockey to more countries, Ikram said, “Earlier we had top-8-10 countries playing major tournaments but there was nothing for teams below that. Now we have the Nations Cup that targets eight teams after top-10 and the Nations Cup 2 with the next eight teams. I eventually want about 35 teams playing top hockey in some way or the other.

“As for the Pro League, yes, we have a lot to do, to make it as perfect as we had wanted and we need to engage more. Which is why we are launching the Pro League Connect so that all hockey nations engage with it.”