Why international stars are pulling out of Hockey India League en masse

IN OCTOBER, WHEN the Hockey India League (HIL) player auctions were held, 96 international stars were snapped up by eight men and four women franchises. Now, with a fortnight left for the competition to begin, more than one-fourth of them have pulled out.

- MIHIR VASAVDA

The reasons? The timing of the league, which begins on December 28 (days after Christmas and just before the New Year); an unattractive salary, which is less than many Indian players; and the prospect of spending over a month in Rourkela where there aren't many options to unwind after matches.

So far, 18 men's players, primarily from the Netherlands and Germany, have pulled out. Additionally, seven women players have withdrawn as well. These players pulled out after the auctions took place, leaving Hockey India red-faced. The national governing body is likely to bar all the players - apart from those with legitimate fitness concerns and have provided a medical certificate from playing for three years until the next auction.