Archive · 25 Aug 2026
India’s World Cup Stars Urge Support for Women’s Hockey League
India’s women hockey team is having one of its strongest World Cup campaigns in many years.
The team has 11 players appearing at the World Cup for the first time.
The players say the Women’s Hockey India League helped them become more confident.
In the league, younger players compete with experienced Indian and international stars.
This experience helps them handle pressure in important matches.
India cannot reach the semifinals, but it can still finish fifth or sixth.
That would be India’s best World Cup result since 1974.
The league is having money problems, and some teams may leave.
The players are asking officials and businesses to help keep it alive.
India’s women’s team has 11 World Cup debutants and has lost only to Olympic champions the Netherlands.
A draw with Australia ended India’s semifinal hopes, but a fifth- or sixth-place finish would be their best since 1974.
Players say the Women’s Hockey India League has improved confidence, pressure management and access to national selection.
The league faces financial problems, including high operating costs, low revenues, delayed payments and limited sponsorship.
Players have urged Hockey India, the Sports Ministry, teams and corporate sponsors to protect the competition.
- Who
- India’s women’s hockey players, including captain Salima Tete and players such as Navneet Kaur and Sakshi Rana, are appealing for support.
- What
- They want the Women’s Hockey India League to continue because they say it has strengthened the national team and developed young players.
- When
- The appeal was made during the ongoing World Cup, after India’s draw with Australia eliminated the team from semifinal contention.
- Where
- The appeal was reported from Amstelveen, where the World Cup campaign is taking place.
- Why
- The league faces financial difficulties, while players believe it provides competition, confidence, international exposure and a pathway into the national team.
Players and talent development
Financial and commercial concerns
Whether the league should continue
Players and talent development
India’s players say the Women’s Hockey India League is essential for developing young talent, broadening the national pool and preparing players for international pressure.
Financial and commercial concerns
Franchise sources say the league is not commercially viable because operating costs are high and broadcast, ticket and sponsorship revenues are limited.
Value beyond immediate revenue
Players and talent development
Players argue that the league’s main value is exposure and development rather than direct financial returns, pointing to players who reached the World Cup squad through strong HIL performances.
Financial and commercial concerns
Teams face substantial costs, delayed player payments and franchise difficulties; Odisha Warriors and Ranchi Royals were terminated, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers are contemplating withdrawal.
Responsibility for support
Players and talent development
Players have asked the Sports Ministry, Hockey India, teams and corporate houses—particularly major cricket investors—to support and save the women’s league.
Financial and commercial concerns
The reported financial pressures have led franchises to reassess participation despite the removal of the Rs 2.5 crore women’s franchise fee for the third season.
- World Cup squad
- India has 11 World Cup debutants.
- India’s results
- India has lost once, to the Netherlands, and drew 2-2 with China.
- Remaining target
- India will play for fifth and sixth place after missing the semifinals.
- Potential achievement
- A fifth- or sixth-place finish would be India’s best World Cup result since 1974.
- League benefit
- Players say the league has helped with confidence, pressure management and national-team selection.
- Financial strain
- The league faces high operating costs, low broadcast and ticket revenues, delayed player payments and limited sponsorship.
- Team costs
- Running a men’s and women’s Hockey India League team together is estimated at Rs 10-12 crore.
- Franchise changes
- Odisha Warriors and Ranchi Royals were terminated, while Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers are considering withdrawal.