Now, an IPL for hockey too

There could be money in hockey too. If the World Series Hockey, a joint initiative of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Nimbus Sport, takes off, players who were up in arms earlier this year over poor payments could end up earning Rs 40-50 lakh from it next year. The IHF has sold marketing rights for the domestic league — expected to involve 10 teams — to Nimbus Sport for 15 years. The inaugural edition of the league is expected in October-November 2011.

The organisers claim to have already signed up a host of top players: Sandeep Singh, Sardar Singh, Rajpal Singh, Adrian D’Souza, Arjun Halappa, Shivender Singh, Tushar Khandker and Prabodh Tirkey.

But there is a downside. The announcement of the league is likely to intensify IHF’s battle for control with rival Hockey India (HI) and set it on a collision course with the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

The FIH has derecognised IHF, and the right to field teams in events sanctioned by the world body lies with HI.

Narendra Batra, HI secretary-general, said players participating in the league would not be picked if league ma