Hockey India (HI) has denied media reports of the Hockey India League (HIL) being in doubt, following reports of financial trouble associated with at least four of the six existing franchises.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has also denied reports of HI having written to them advising discontinuation of the league from 2018 itself. However, doubts still persist over the long-term future of the league, which started in 2013.
"We have been in communication with all franchises and have taken into consideration the factors concerning them. But we are optimistic that the league will continue. We have no further comments," HI CEO Elena Norman told ESPN.
However, the FIH-proposed Pro League, meant to run annually from 2019 among nine nations in men's and women's hockey annually from January to June, might anyway make it difficult for HIL to continue in its current month-long format; the past few seasons have taken place between January and February of each year.
ESPN understands that the Wave Group, which owns the Delhi franchise, has been given two weeks to clarify their financial situation, while there are concerns about the Punjab franchise, owned by Jaypee Group, and the franchises for Uttar Pradesh and Ranchi, both of which are associated with the Sahara Group.
Former India goalkeeper and manager of the reigning champions Kalinga Lancers AB Subbaiah said his franchise had started preparations for the next season. Subbaiah added that the HIL deserved credit for the improved performance in recent years by the Indian national team.
"In our time, we used to be in awe of someone like Floris Jan Bovelander, who was a big hero to our players. That would bring about a lot of tension about facing him," he said.
"Today, the HIL has allowed our players to share change-rooms with the top players and they are more aware of what they need to do to counter them."
Jagbir Singh, former Olympian and manager of 2016 champions Punjab Warriors, felt surprised that the league was reportedly in doubt from 2018 itself. "With the Pro League coming in from 2019, I would have thought that organising the HIL might be difficult, since all international players would be required for the first six months of the year," he said.
"I have heard the rumours, but there is no confirmation of it yet. Normally, our franchise [Jaypee Group] only begins preparations from September. They have reportedly had financial issues in the past, but that has never stopped them in the past five seasons."
With the Pro League coming in to play from 2019, there are reports of HIL mulling a shift to the winter months, but that will also be difficult to execute in 2018, with India hosting the men's World Cup in Bhubaneswar in November-December, in a year that will also see hockey organised as part of the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. Subbaiah felt the biggest blow would be for the players on the fringe of India selection.
"HIL has been most beneficial for the hockey players outside the 18 in the national team or the 33 at the national camp. You won't know the others, but these are the players who are most eager to be a part of the auction," he said.
If Delhi are unable to continue in the six-team league, there could still be a chance that Bengaluru, where the JSW group have expressed an interest in the past in fielding an HIL franchise, step in to complete the field for 2018. However, a source did concede that the Pro League might mean the HIL might have to be rescheduled or stopped altogether 2019 onwards.
How Indian hockey compensates its players, not just financially, but in terms of improving their quality with big-match competition, will be the key if the HIL does come under a cloud.
"We have seen smaller centres like Ranchi and how high the awareness of the sport is. The addition of a team like Kalinga Lancers also means new venues want to host the league," Subbaiah said.
"If there are one or two franchises who are not in a good position, they should consider taking a break and let others come into the picture. But I am worried that if the league stops even for one season, it would be difficult to get it running again."