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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 4:
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managing director R C Venkateish at a press conference to announce the launch of PHL in Chennai yesterday. |
Seven teams in a single tier are to battle out in the Chennal leg of the Premier Hockey League (PHL), set to roll off from today at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. The participation of 30 foreign players has given an added sheen and stature to the third edition of the League.
At a media briefing here yesterday, K P S Gill, president, Indian Hockey Federation, felt delighted at the response from the international hockey fraternity. 'A big opportunity for the players in an event of this magnitude with international flavour. The foreign players are placed in such a manner in the seven teams to ensure the balance factor. We have continued our policy of empowering the local IHF unit to choose the respective team composition in consultation with the parent body.'
In the view of K Jothikumaran, secretary-general, IHF, the PHL is getting bigger, better and more competitive. 'The foreign players have been classified to play in short stints, some of them available for the Chennai leg an some joining for the Chandigarh leg. Pakistan players will stay on for a longer duration.
Highlighting the new rules and innovations of the PHL, R C Venkateish, managing director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd, sounded confident that PHL will redefine hockey viewing in the country. 'Lots of firsts are there to ensure some exciting fare. Right from the latest one-on-one innovation to a high number of international players from top hockey countries like Australia, the Netherlands and Spain, PHL has once again come forward to innovate itself for the Indian hockey buffs.'
The league this season has only one division called the Premier Division. The league will follow a round robin format, all teams playing each other twice. The winners (Rs. 40 lakh prize money) will be decided when the top teams from the round-robin play the best of three finals.
Hyderabad Sultans take on
Chennai Veerans today (7.45 p.m) to start the proceedings.