Sports Ministry urges IPL owners to invest in Hockey India League and other domestic competitions

On September 19, 2026 in Nagoya the Sports Ministry said it wants Indian Premier League owners and franchises to invest in the Hockey India League and other domestic leagues and signalled it would not tolerate violations while ensuring the federation and the HIL continued. Ministry sources told reporters the move is intended to secure sustainability and success for the beleaguered HIL.

Rumours that a Hockey India Executive Board meeting took place without president Dilip Tirkey on Friday had prompted questions about legality and spawned conspiracy theories, according to the reporting. The ministry made clear it would brook no violations as it worked to keep both the federation and the league running without disruption. Sources said the ministry is actively looking at existing IPL owners and franchises to get involved in the HIL to ensure sustainability. The recent good performance by the Indian women’s hockey team, with a large part of the credit going to the WHIL, has also impressed the ministry enough to consider direct involvement.

JSW — co-owner of IPL side Delhi Capitals — already fields both men’s and women’s teams in the HIL, providing a current example of an IPL-linked investor in hockey. The ministry is also keen on IPL owners taking stakes in other competitions, with sources naming the Pro Kabaddi League and the Prime Volleyball League among those of interest.

Ministry sources said: “We are also aware of the potential for a sport and refuse to believe anyone who says hockey is a loss-making proposition. It might reflect on their shortcomings, not the sport’s. The IPL owners have been positive in their responses. The HIL will happen and will continue,”

When questioned about the recent administrative tussles within the federation, officials said, “everything will be sorted (out). Neither (the) HIL nor HI is going anywhere.”

At the Friday meeting, held under the acting chairmanship of Tapan Das, the Executive Board announced that Hockey India elections will be held on November 7.