Former captain of the Indian women’s national hockey team, Savita Punia has hailed Hockey India’s move to introduce women’s teams for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25.
For the first time in the history of the HIL, the tournament will feature not only men’s teams but women’s teams with six teams being part of the league.
The HIL 2024-25 will be held from the last week of December 2024 to the first week of February 2025, in a window sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The tournament will witness the participation of 8 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams. Notably, the Men’s and Women’s HIL will run simultaneously, marking a unique moment in global sports leagues.
Savita expressed her admiration for this initiative, stating, “The Men’s and Women’s HIL will run simultaneously, which is something that I don’t think has happened before in any other sports. Hockey India has always ensured that both men’s and women’s teams are treated equally. For instance, when the men’s and women’s teams win matches or a competition at the international level, the prize money is the same for both.”
Hockey India has been diligent about gender equality providing the same financial incentives for winning international matches and equal prize money for securing trophies at international events. Hockey India’s approach has been instrumental in inspiring women athletes and boosting the morale of the entire women’s squad.
Savita further highlighted the impact of the women’s HIL in nurturing emerging talent and said, “The introduction of a dedicated women’s league is a game changer and certainly a huge step forward for Indian hockey. For young women athletes, this platform will not only allow them to compete at a high level but also improve as players. It’s a great opportunity to showcase their talent and climb up the ranks, and I believe we’ll see some exceptional performances in the coming season.”