New Delhi: 8 Jan 2014: The main gates at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey stadium remained closed on Wednesday and there were no banners or any fanfare to announce the new Hockey World League.
But as one entered the stadium through one of the several side gates or a mini gate, one witnessed local teams playing hockey on Pitch number 3 in the morning. Proceed a bit further and one can see the Indian team finish its paces with hardly any spectators. But a couple of die-hard journalists get those bites from the coaches and the captains.
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But the Press Conference at a five-star hotel has a different tale to tell. Two score and more of scribes and cameramen attend the unveiling of the Trophy. And it was a pleasant surprise to see so many journalists interacting with captains of the eight teams.

After all the three gentlemen on the stage spoke, the stage was left open for questions from the media. After just three questions, the stage was set for the unveiling of the Trophy and all the eight captains did the honours with the cameramen and photographers jostling for space to get that vantage point.
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“The World League provides for an interesting platform where the top teams can test and gauge the opponents in the year of the big Cup, but it crowds the calendar though,’’ quipped a player. The New Zealand captain was more generous: “Yes we have a lot of top tournaments this year, but the present day game demands fitness and we have to cope up with changing times and keep fit,’’ he felt.

Even as top talent from around the world converge in the national capital for the much-awaited League finals, the glittering trophy of the Hero Hockey World League, was unveiled in the presence of the captains of all the 8 participating teams at a hotel today in the presence of A Budeisky, Executive Board member of FIH, Narinder Batra, Secretary of Hockey India and J Narain of sponsors Hero Motocorp.

Mr Budeisky spoke about the League which is a culmination of over 18 months of hockey with the participation of over 2000 players coming into the final leg at Delhi. He said the FIH is making efforts to spread hockey and the league is movement to promote hockey.

Eight top-ranked international teams including Olympic champions Germany and World champions Australia will compete in the inaugural Hero Hockey World League Final.

J Narain of MotoCorp said: “It’s a huge opportunity for hockey fans in the country to see such the top hockey stars from around the world. It is also a time to unleash strategies and to watch out for the rival team strategies and prepare for the World Cup. So this tournament achieves great significance before the big event.’’

The Hero World Hockey League Final is the first event of an action-packed 2014, a year that will also feature hugely anticipated World Cup and Champions Trophy events.

The nine-day event in Delhi provides teams with the chance to start 2014 in the best possible fashion, with strong performances likely to generate great confidence ahead of the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, which takes place between 31 May – 15 June in The Hague, Netherlands.

In a message, Leandro Negre, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), said: “We are really pleased that the Hockey World League has successfully introduced new nations to international hockey. Our use of new media and increased live streaming has proven to be hugely popular with fans. Hockey as a sport is now more vibrant and visible than ever before and I hope that the first event of 2014 turns out to be a massive success. After all, it is held in India, a country famed for its love of hockey.”

Dr. Narinder Batra, Secretary General of Hockey India, said: “2014 is significant for Indian hockey on global and Asian levels. Besides the World Cup, Champions Trophy and the Commonwealth Games, we will also feature in the Asian Games, a continental event of great importance. Therefore, the tune for our national team will be set when the Hero Hockey World League Final begins here in Delhi. This has aroused passion all round, and the entire country is waiting for Sardar Singh and his team to deliver, which I hope they will.”

He further added: “India should now get behind their team and support them in a big way. Fan support can really make a big difference to the team’s fortunes in the highly competitive tournament such as this”.
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In jest, he said that he would reveal the phone number of Mr Narain of MotoCorp to all the Media so that if the sponsors don’t come forward they would know whom to call.

Typified by its “Make Your Mark” slogan, the Hockey World League invites every hockey playing nation to take part. It allows even the smallest ones to dream of writing their own chapter in hockey’s history books. It builds heroes as fresh talent bursts onto the scene.