Regardless of its international following, Indian hockey faces challenges within the league panorama, from prize to reputation, lagging behind Professional Kabaddi League in India.
Hockey is widely regarded in India. From its past global successes to recent medals in the Olympics. Indian hockey has seen many ups and downs in the last few decades. Despite losing popularity globally, the sport has managed to thrive in India. In the era of franchise-based leagues, Hockey India has reintroduced the Hockey India League (HIL) after a seven-year hiatus.
This time, not only is there a men’s league, but a women’s league has also been introduced. For this much-anticipated contest, the three-day auction for the Hockey India League 2024-25 season was held in Delhi from Sunday to Tuesday. Although hockey might be regarded as a globally followed sport, when it comes to the Indian league structure, it is still not bigger than the domestic Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which has been running consistently for the past 11 years. Despite not having a global approach, this Desi Game has established itself as a franchise-based concept in the nation.
PKL vs HIL Auction base price
The Pro Kabaddi League features 12 teams and has established itself after starting with just eight teams in the past. Not only have the teams increased, but the base prices for players have also improved significantly.
In the top tier of talent, Category A features players with a base price of INR 30 lakh. Category B has a base price of INR 20 lakh, Category C includes those priced at INR 13 lakh, while the lowest base price a player can have is in Category D, which is INR 9 lakh.
It’s not the same in the Hockey India League. The top-tier players in the league have a base price of INR 10 lakh, followed by INR 5 lakh, and the lowest base price is set at INR 2 lakh, which is comparatively lower than of PKL.
Auction purse in PKL and HIL
In the PKL 2024, each team had a player purse of INR 5 crore, with the most expensive Indian player, Sachin Tanwar, fetching INR 2.15 crore, while the most expensive foreign player, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, was acquired for INR 2.07 crore.
In contrast, in the HIL’s mega auction, the purse for each team is INR 4 crore, making the financial stakes slightly lower compared to kabaddi. The highest-paid Indian player in the HIL is Harmanpreet Singh, who took home INR 78 lakh, while the most expensive foreign star, Gonzalo Peillat, received INR 68 lakh.
Popularity and audience engagement
Pro Kabaddi League
The PKL has built an engaging fanbase, with millions of viewers across the nation. Its consistent format, high-scoring matches, and the introduction of new rules create interest among fans. The league has adeptly leveraged media rights, sponsorships, and social media platforms to attract a diverse audience. Because of this, the PKL has been running consistently since 2014.
Hockey India League
While hockey is a revered sport in India, the Hockey India League has struggled to achieve the same level of mainstream appeal as the PKL. The return of the HIL is seen as a crucial step towards reviving interest in hockey, particularly after a long gap. The inclusion of women’s hockey in the league aims to attract a broader audience and adds to the growing recognition of women’s sports in India. However, the challenge remains to convert hockey enthusiasts into regular viewers of the league. The HIL was active from 2013 to 2017 and is set to make its return in 2024.
HIL would get the PKL status?
As both leagues prepare for their seasons, they face different challenges. The Hockey India League aims to recapture the attention of sports fans in India once again. While the Pro Kabaddi League has firmly established itself as a leader in the franchise-based sports model, the return of the HIL, especially with a women’s league, holds promise for the revival of hockey in the country. With better marketing, increased investment, and a focus on engaging fans, the HIL may bridge the gap between these two prominent sports leagues in India.
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