Rourkela, Dec 27: The highly anticipated return of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 is set to become a reality with a clash between Delhi SG Pipers and Gonasika on Saturday, promising a spectacular showcase of world-class hockey and fierce competition.

The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela will host the eight men’s teams till the Final on February 1 while, four Women’s teams will compete against each other from January 12 to January 26, in Ranchi.

The men’s HIL will kick off in Rourkela, with Phase 1 spanning from December 28 to January 18, where all eight teams will play against each other once. Phase 2, beginning on January 19, will see the teams divided into two pools: Pool A (Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers) and Pool B (Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Tamil Nadu Dragons, UP Rudras). Each team will face others in their respective pool, with the top four teams advancing to the Semi Final on January 31.

“All our players excited to play against Gonasika and are looking forward to beginning the league. We have prepared well for the last two weeks and we have had a few bonding sessions as a team as well in this period. There is a bit of pressure that comes with it but all the players in our squad are well trained and aware of the demands at this level, so we will play the match with the aim to do our best. We have to execute the strategy set by our coaches and take it game by game. Every match is important and the but it is also important to take the first step in the right direction tomorrow,” Delhi SG Pipers Captain Shamsher Singh commented.

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Delhi SG Pipers, Soorma Hockey Club and Odisha Warriors are the four teams in the Women’s HIL. Their matches will commence on January 12 at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium, with each team playing against the others twice. After a competitive pool stage, the top two teams will meet in the Final on January 26. Both men’s and women’s teams will also play one of their matches at the alternate venue to bring the HIL excitement to fans in both locations.

“HIL is returning after seven years and everyone in the team is excited for the match against Delhi. We have a good understanding amongst each other in the team and a good mixture of youngsters, Indian seniors and foreigners. We will look to implement the things that we have trained on so far in the match tomorrow. We have also played with and against these players before, so we will look to play our game and do our best to minimise their goalscoring opportunities,” Gonasika Captain Manpreet Singh shared.

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker feels she has erred on filing for the nominations for the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, breaking silence on reports of being excluded for the list. However, the 22-year-old said she remains motivated to perform well on the biggest stage, regardless of whether she wins the award or not.

“With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna award – I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform my country. Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal. I believe there has been a lapse maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected. Irrespective of the award, I remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate more on this matter.”

India’s campaign came to a premature end as double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu crashed out in the pre-quarterfinals of the Kumamoto Masters Japan Super 500 badminton tournament here on Thursday.

World no. 20 Sindhu was the lone Indian in contention after the exits of Lakshya Sen and women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.

Sindhu squandered a game lead to lose 21-17 16-21 17-21 against Canada’s Michelle Li, ranked 23rd in the world, in a women’s singles match that lasted one hour and 15 minutes.

It was neck and neck between the two shuttlers in the first game before Sindhu took a marginal 11-8 lead and from there on kept her nose just ahead to take early advantage.

Trailing, Li came out attacking in the second game and raced to a 8-3 lead before Sindhu clawed back as the scoreline read 16-16 at one time.

But Li then upped her game and pocketed five straight points to draw parity in the contest.

The decider witnessed a close battle between the two shuttlers till 17 points when Li forced the pace, pocketing four straight points to wrap up the match. The Canadian was also helped by Sindhu’s unforced errors.

Li will play Siouth Korea’s Yu Jin Sim in the quarterfinals.