Great for the game

World Series Hockey (WSH) – an Indian hockey league along the lines of cricket’s highly successful Indian Premier League (IPL) – is an excellent idea. Slated to begin this year, the league could provide a much-needed boost to hockey in India. True, the aim of the erstwhile Premier Hockey League between 2005 and 2008 was much the same. However, given the long-term financial commitment that WSH envisages, there is reason to believe that things will be different this time. Like the IPL, a vibrant professional hockey league will not only attract sponsors but also create a platform for fresh talent to come through.

The bane of Indian hockey today is lack of interest on the part of the public. This in turn is fuelled by the perception that it doesn’t pay to take up the sport as a career. Much of the allure that cricket has is due to the fact it is a lucrative sport. But WSH can rectify this. The figures being cited for potential earnings by top players taking part in the league are between Rs 10-40 lakh per season. Given that hockey players have long protested against poor pay, the league could finally make hockey financially attractive. The problem with the previous hockey league was one of scale. But with WSH holding out the promise of substantial financial investment over a period of 15 years, scale should not be an issue.

The success of the IPL has taught us a lot about how to organise a franchise-based sport league. Former players like Viren Rasquina have gone on record that a professional hockey league is the best thing that could happen to Indian hockey. Plus, the participation of quality foreign players will provide a massive learning opportunity for our youngsters. WSH could be just the lifeline that Indian hockey needs.