Fifth Hockey India League to start on Jan 21

"The Coal India Hockey India League has been a huge success in how it has helped popularise the sport across the country. It has not just been a great spectacle for fans and players, but also a great model to demonstrate sustained growth for the sport,” HIL chairman Narinder Batra told a news conference.

Matches in the six-team competition will begin at 7 pm during the league phase.

"We hope to raise the bar again this season, by increasing reach to more fans via innovative mediums as well as better revenues for players and sponsors,” added Batra, the newly-elected FIH president.

 “At the heart of its concept, the HIL benefits our Indian players development immensely by allowing them to play alongside some the best players in the world hence learning new techniques that go a long way during the hockey season.”