6th Hockey India League Hit by Steady Withdrawal of Foreign Players

The revived 6th Hockey India League is the best thing that could have happened to Indian hockey on all fronts. The sheer sight of world top players across men and women rubbing shoulders with the Indian team players as well as numerous emerging and out-of-favour domestic players is ‘extremely welcoming and look-forward-to thing’.

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Unfortunately, the 6th Hockey India League appears to have lost a bit of its sheen as a spate of top foreign players have withdrawn either citing ‘personal reasons or on injury grounds’. The organisers – Hockey India – has been undertaking massive efforts to ensure the Hockey India League is a howling success but the withdrawal of top foreign players must come as a disappointment for the league – such pull-outs make the job of all franchises far from comforting – some franchises had to get into an overdrive to get replacement players for the players who withdrew. Needless to say, it impacts the balance of the side to some extent as it is tough to get like-for-like replacements.

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Interestingly, Germany leads the withdrawals – ace goalkeeper Jean Paul Danneberg, who was lapped by Hyderabad Toofans for Rs 27 lakh, has withdrawn and is being replaced by New Zealand goalkeeper Dominic Dixon. Star forward Christopher Ruhr, who was bought by Delhi SG Pipers for Rs 18 lakh and another forward Thies Prinz, who was purchased by Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 18 lakh, are also notable withdrawals. Argentinian Lucas Toscani and Greati Britain’s Thomas Sorsby have replaced Christopher Ruhr and Thies Prinz respectively.

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Drag-flicker and fullback Tom Gramsbusch, who was roped in by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 10 lakh, is another German to give the league a miss this time around. He is being replaced by Belgium’s Sebastian Dockier. Jean Paul Danneberg is not the only goalkeeper to have withdrawn – Dutch goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak (bought for Rs 25 lakh by Shrach Rarh Bengal Tigers) has also withdrawn.

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Champions Belgium drag-flicking forward Tom Boon, who was signed by Team Gonasika for Rs 26 lakh, is another big-ticket absentee and he is being replaced by young France drag-flicking forward Timothy Clement. Team Gonasika had to deal with another crucial pullout of veteran Jeroen Hertzberger (he was bought for Rs 21 lakh) – he is being replaced by Scotland forward Struan Walker.

Netherlands’ experienced midfielder Seve van Ass and son of UP Rudras coach Paul Van Ass (bought for Rs 10 lakh by UP Rudras) has also pulled out – Great Britain’s James Albery replaces him. Spain’s most experienced player Alvaro Iglesias (bought by UP Rudras for Rs 12 lakh) has also withdrawn and he is being replaced by Great Britain’s drag-flicking forward Sam Ward. Another Dutch player Jorrit Croon (bought by Delhi SG Pipers for Rs 10 lakh) is giving the league a miss and is being replaced by vastly experienced Australian midfielder Jacob Whetton.

As many as 18 men players have withdrawn from the 6th HIL. However, it cannot be denied that the names of Jacob Whetton, Sam Ward, and Sebastian Dockier are a big boost to the league as they would bring so much to their respective franchises. The players’ withdrawals are not just limited to the men teams. German Olympic captain Nike Lorenz (bought by Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 11 lakh) has pulled out alongside talented Great Britain player Anna Toman (bought by Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 10 lakh).Talented New Zealand forward Olivia Shannon and Great Britain’s Sophie Hamilton have replaced Nike Lorenz and Anna Toman respectively.

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.Shrachi Rarh Bengal had to deal with the withdrawal of experienced Dutch midfielder Eva Roma Maria de Goede (bought for Rs 10 lakh) and promising Belgium forward Ambre Ballennghien (bought for Rs 15 lakh). The Australian duo of Grace Stewart and Hannnah Cotter have replaced Eva Roma Maria de Goede and Ambre Ballennghien, respectively. As many as 7 women players have withdrawn from the league – a total of 25 players – 18 men and 7 women have pulled out so far.

One hopes that the HIL would overcome these withdrawal setbacks and emerge as a great advertisement for world hockey.