Hockey India unveils HIL trophy

Hockey India on Sunday unveiled the trophy of the Hockey India League (HIL) to be held across the country from January 14 to February 10.

HIL chairman Narendra Batra said, the trophy was designed keeping in mind the improving status of Indian hockey at the international stage.

"The trophy shows a player protruding outwards from the base. The player showcases the rise of the game in recent years and the emergence of India once again as a hockey powerhouse," he said.

Commenting on the scheduling of the semifinals and the final in Ranchi, he said Jharkhand is one of the main centres of hockey in the country and Hockey India  is keen to promote the game in the State.

He also announced a slew of awards, including the Gurdeep Singh Chadha award for the most promising young player of the league.

The under-21 player will be awarded Rs. 20 lakhs while the Hero player of the tournament will be given Rs. 25 lakhs.

"We are proud of our association with the national game. I am sure that the initiative taken by Hockey India to start this league will go a long way in developing the game and bringing back its old glory," said Hero Group CEO Pawan Munjal.