Chhattisgarh Hockey League Set to Kick Off in Raipur on October 21

Raipur, October 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Chhattisgarh Hockey League (CHL) is poised to launch its first season from October 21 to November 1 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. On Monday, all six participating franchises were unveiled, including the Chakradhar Champions, Nyayadhani Knights, Raipur Royals, Manpur Titans, Sanskardhani Strikers, and Bailadila Bulls. Each franchise will field a team of 22 players along with a head coach, determined through a lottery system.

Sardar Singh, one of India’s most successful field hockey players, has been appointed as the league ambassador for its inaugural season.

The CHL features a blend of national heroes, Olympians, local talents, and experienced players from the Chhattisgarh region. The tournament aims to provide a robust platform for local talent while strengthening the domestic hockey framework in the state.

The team formation process utilized a lottery to ensure fairness. Initially, a draw determined the order in which franchises would select players. Following this, each franchise drew an envelope from a bowl, revealing their team name. This transparent process was overseen by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare to ensure balanced teams.

The Chhattisgarh Hockey League is the state’s first official league, organized by the Chhattisgarh government’s Sports and Youth Welfare Department. Its objective is to offer a structured and competitive environment for state hockey players, enabling them to showcase their skills and gain valuable competitive experience, which can lead to opportunities at state, national, and international levels.

The teams and their marquee players are as follows:

– Nyayadhani Knights: Surendra Kumar, Rahul Thakur, Mohammad Anish Raza, and others.
– Manpur Titans: Pradeep Mor, Alfaz Khan, Shourya Verma, and others.
– Chakradhar Champions: SV Sunil, Aseem, Vaibhav Singh Chandel, and others.
– Raipur Royals: Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Himanshu Malik, Vinod Yadav, and others.
– Sanskardhani Strikers: Shamsher, Aditya Kumar Netam, Roshan Rajput, and others.
– Bailadila Bulls: Chinglemsana Singh Kangujam, Daleshwar Yadav, Santosh Maurya, and others.

This league promises to be a significant step forward for hockey in Chhattisgarh, fostering local talent and enhancing the sport’s profile within the region.