The first-ever Women’s Hockey India League is set to start on January 12 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Since the Men’s HIL is happening right now, this will be another addition to the league, which will happen simultaneously. The final will be played on 26th January. This year, the league is featuring four teams; the tournament will follow a double round-robin format, where teams will play against each other twice. The top two teams will advance to the final to compete for the inaugural women’s HIL title.
Which teams are taking part in the league?
There will be four teams that will be part of the league, including:
- Soorma Hockey Club
- Delhi SG Pipers
- Odisha Warriors
- Rarh Bengal Tigers
Who will be the captain and coaches of the Teams in HIL?
- Soorma Hockey Club: This club will have co-captains: the experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia and Indian captain Salima Tete. Though both will lead, Tete is likely to handle the toss and lead on-field. Playing in front of her home crowd, the 23-year-old Tete is expected to draw significant local support. Former Olympian Jude Menezes, who coached the Japan women’s team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will coach the team.
- Delhi SG Pipers: Navneet Kaur, a seasoned India forward, will captain the Delhi SG Pipers, supported by Belgian defender Emma Puvrez as vice-captain. Kaur, who debuted internationally in 2014, has scored 53 goals in 178 matches and is a key player for India. Dutch coach Dave Smolenaars, who joined as the analytical coach for India’s women’s team last year, will lead the Pipers with Tushar Khandekar as assistant coach.
- Odisha Warriors: Neha Goyal, an experienced Indian midfielder with 169 international caps, will captain Odisha Warriors. She will be supported by young vice-captain Ishika Chaudhary. Janneke Schopman, former head coach of the Indian women’s team, will coach the Warriors. Having left the Indian setup after failing to qualify for the 2024 Olympics, Schopman aims to prove herself in the league.
- Rarh Bengal Tigers: Indian defender Udita Duhan will lead the Rarh Bengal Tigers. Since her debut in 2017, Duhan has played 123 matches for India. Australian coach Glenn Turner, a two-time World Cup winner and Olympic bronze medalist, will guide the Tigers with his vast experience.
Where will the games be played?
All the matches apart from two in Rourkela, in the Women’s HIL will be played at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi including the knockouts.
What will be the prize money for Women’s HIL?
In the Women’s Hero HIL, the competition is intense, with the champions set to earn INR 1.5 crore. The second-place team will take home INR 1 crore, while the team finishing third will receive INR 50 lakh.
Where to watch women’s HIL?
The matches for the Women’s HIL will be telecasted live on Sony Sports Network and DD Sports. OTT users can tune in to Sony LIV for live coverage.
Women’s HIL squads
Delhi SG Pipers
Defenders: Emma Puvrez (Belgium), Jyoti Singh, Stephanie De Groof (Belgium), Giselle Anne Ansley (Great Britain), Miri Maroney (Australia), Elizabeth Ann Neal (Great Britain)
Midfielders: Manisha Chauhan, Xan Gerdien De Waard (Netherlands), Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Manisha, Manashri
Forwards: Sunelita Toppo, Sangita Kumari, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Mumtaz Khan, Ishika, Geeta Yadav, Charlotte Watson (Great Britain), Preeti Dubey, Himanshi Sharad Gawande
Goalkeepers: Bichu Devi Kharibam, Elodie Picard (Belgium), Bansari Solanki
Odisha Warriors
Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Claire Colwil (Australia), Jyoti Chhatri, Anjali Barwa, Lilly Paulin Stoffelsma (Germany)
Midfielders: Neha Goyal, Yibbi Jansen (Netherlands), Kaitlin Jaye Nobbs (Australia), Baljeet Kaur, Sonika, Victoria Sauze (Argentina), Nisha, Nandni
Forwards: Freeke Georgette Marie (Netherlands), Annu, Rituja Dadaso Pisal, Sakshi Rana, Kanika Siwach, Michelle Fillet (Netherlands), Sadhna
Goalkeepers: Jocelyn Bartram (Australia), Madhuri Kindo, Engil Harsha Rani Minz
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
Defenders: Udita, Upton Roisin (Ireland), Elena Neill (Ireland), Marina Lalramnghaki, Mahima Choudhary
Midfielders: Eva Roma Maria de Goede (Netherlands), Sarah Hawkshaw (Ireland), Jyothi Edula, Munmuni Das, Binima Dhan, Huda Khan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Shilpi Dabas
Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dung Dung, Ambre Ballennghien (Belgium), Kathryn Mullan (Ireland), Lalrinpuii Pachuav, Priyanka Wankhede, Vandana Patel
Goalkeepers: Grace O Hanlon (New Zealand), Jennifer Rizzo (USA), Vidyashree V
Soorma Hockey Club
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Preeti, Penny Squibb (Australia), Anna Toman (Great Britain)
Midfielders: Salima Tete, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Nike Lorenz, Maria Verschoor, Hina Bano, Jimena Maria Cedras (Argentina), Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, Ajmina Kujur
Forwards: Sharmila Devi, Charlotte Englebert (Belgium), Charlotte Stapenhorst (Germany), Deepika Soreng, Sonam, Upasana Singh, Amanpreet Kaur
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Nidhi, Natalia Salvador (Chile)
Women’s HIL schedule
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jan 2025 | Delhi SG Pipers vs Odisha Warriors | 08:40 PM | Ranchi |
| 13 Jan 2025 | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 14 Jan 2025 | Delhi SG Pipers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 15 Jan 2025 | Odisha Warriors vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 16 Jan 2025 | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Odisha Warriors | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 17 Jan 2025 | Delhi SG Pipers vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club | 08:15 PM | Rourkela |
| 19 Jan 2025 | Odisha Warriors vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | 06:00 PM | Rourkela |
| 20 Jan 2025 | JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Delhi SG Pipers | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 21 Jan 2025 | JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Odisha Warriors | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 22 Jan 2025 | Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Delhi SG Pipers | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 23 Jan 2025 | Odisha Warriors vs Delhi SG Pipers | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 24 Jan 2025 | JSW Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers | 06:00 PM | Ranchi |
| 26 Jan 2025 | Finals | 08:15 PM | Ranchi |
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