UP Rudras announced on Monday that they are withdrawing from the Hockey India League (HIL) due to financial viability of the league.
Currently, the hockey players draw salaries from the departments and organisations that they are employed with even though a proposal to have a graded contract system by Hockey India has been in the deliberation stage for past few years.
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
The IHF said the league is likely to start in September after the Athens Olympics.
Indian women's team captain Salima Tete can't wait for the upcoming Hockey India League as she feels that the event will help shape the careers of young players and build a strong bench strength for the national team.
Pak hockey team must play in India and India should reciprocate: Ex-Pak captain Butt
The Indian women were on Saturday relegated from the FIH Pro Hockey League after losing to China 0-3 in their penultimate match, a result which placed them at the bottom of the points table.
Renowned for his speed on the ice, Koltsov won the Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev in 2008 and more recently returned to the club as an assistant coach.
Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton has expressed his satisfaction with the talent on display at the National Championship, highlighting the team's depth, especially in goalkeeping.
Pakistan opted out of the ongoing Asia Cup in Bihar following the military conflict between the two countries, citing security concerns.
A dominant India continued their winning spree, outclassing China 4-0 to register their fourth consecutive victory in the men's competition of the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.
India go down to Germany 1-7 in Four-Nation junior hockey
Jemimah's success is carved not just from talent and hard work, but from dreams, faith, and an unshakable spirit.
Women's HIL will provide financial stability to junior players and attract youth to hockey: Savita Punia
'I'm proud of my Indian connection. Why shouldn't I be?'
Shilanand finally made his way back into the national team and on Thursday, not only provided a superb assist but also scored a goal with a lovely deflection in India's 4-1 win over Malaysia in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup.
The 66-year-old helped his side to an emphatic 14-7 win in the Night Hockey League.
India men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has two Olympic bronze medals in his cabinet, but rues missing out on World Cup glory.
The 33-year-old midfielder from Punjab, a place synonymous with Indian hockey folklore, now stands as the second-highest capped Indian men's player of all time, behind only former Captain and current Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey (412 caps).
The 36-year-old goalkeeper, a veteran of 328 international matches, took to social media to announce his decision.
Rani Rampal believes the Asian Champions Trophy title was an important feat for the Indian women's hockey team as it kick started its preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics
It has been 18 years since arch-rivals India and Pakistan have locked horns in a bilateral hockey Test series.
A veterans' cricket match involving India and Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends in London on Sunday has been cancelled after Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan, refused to be a part of it citing the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
Former Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal announced her retirement on Thursday, ending a glittering 16-year career.
Belgian defender Arthur De Sloover feels the way Indian hockey is progressing over the years, the country is a "big contender" for more glory at the word stage in future.
Koltsov's death sent a shockwave through the Miami Open where Sabalenka is scheduled to play her opening match
German hockey captain Moritz Furste knows a thing or two about consistency and he feels the ability to deliver even performances in a series of games is the "little missing piece" in India's admirable resurgence in the last one decade.
Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh, who is leading Delhi Waveriders in the inaugural Hockey India League, said that the five-team HIL is a historical event and it would help in restoring the lost glory of the game.
The new HI body under Olympian Dilip Tirkey plans to rejuvenate the hockey scenario in the country by providing exposure to budding players through the HIL.
'I am grateful that they have given me a chance to play now so I have to give my 100 per cent.'
Indian women's team suffers eighth defeat in FIH Pro League, relegated to Nations Cup
The 2026 men's hockey World Cup will be held from August 14 to 30 in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
India's Harmanpreet Singh was crowned as Men's Player Of The Year and his former compatriot PR Sreejesh was named Men's Goalkeeper Of The Year, announced the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Friday.
Mandaviya addresses state of Indian football
The National Hockey League has postponed Monday's game between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators due to the deadly explosions that hit the Boston Marathon earlier in the day, while the NBA has called off a Boston Celtics game.
Both P R Sreejesh and P T Rao did not have the best of outings in the inaugural Hockey India League and national hockey team captain Sardar Singh feels goalkeeping is an area of concern for the hosts ahead of the Hockey World League 2 to be held here from February 18-26.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who powered India to a second successive bronze medal in hockey at the Olympics in Paris, was on Saturday nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award.
Janneke Schopman resigned on Friday, days after creating a furore by claiming that she was not valued
The inaugural WHIL, scheduled from January 12 to 26 in Ranchi, will feature four teams: Delhi SG Pipers, Odisha Warriors, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, and Soorma Hockey Club.
Play fearlessly and without pre-conceived notion: Ashok Dhyanchand to hockey players
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