New Delhi: Doordarshan (DD), India’s national broadcaster, has been announced as the official broadcast partner for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25. This partnership marks a significant step towards making IndiaKaGame—Hockey a household celebration and elevating hockey players to household names across the country. The HIL 2024-25 is set to commence on 28th December, with the addition of the historic inaugural season of the Women’s Hockey India League (WHIL) alongside the men’s competition.
The partnership between Doordarshan and the Hockey India League will ensure that the thrilling action of HIL reaches millions of viewers nationwide. The league will feature eight men’s teams and four women’s teams competing in Rourkela and Ranchi, showcasing top-tier talent from both India and around the world. This year’s league is particularly significant as it underscores Hockey India’s commitment to gender inclusivity, with the introduction of the women’s league at a national level.
Shri Navneet Sehgal, Chairman, Prasar Bharati, said, “Prasar Bharati is privileged to partner with the Hockey India League, a platform that celebrates our national sports and aligns people across different categories. Through our comprehensive coverage, we aim to bring the electrifying spirit of hockey, including the historic debut of Women HIL, to viewers everywhere, bridging the urban and rural divide and amplifying the league’s impact.”
Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, CEO, of Prasar Bharati, said, “With two back-to-back medals in the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, Indian sports lovers are confident that the golden era of Indian hockey is being brought back. Doordarshan as the public broadcaster is looking forward to contributing to this broader vision through this partnership. The idea is to elevate hockey production and broadcast to global sporting standards. The sports lovers across the world can now watch the Indian Hockey League, both men and women on DD Sports and Waves- the recently launched OTT platform of Prasar Bharati. Stay tuned for the broadcast starting 28 December 2024”.
Talking about the association, Hockey India League (HIL) Governing Committee Chairperson Dr Dilip Tirkey said, “We are thrilled to partner with Doordarshan as the official broadcaster of the Hockey India League. This year is particularly special with the launch of the Women’s HIL, a landmark step in promoting women’s hockey. Doordarshan’s unparalleled reach and commitment to sports perfectly align with our vision of taking hockey to every corner of the nation. Together, we aim to inspire millions and elevate the HIL to unprecedented heights.”
Hockey India League (HIL) Governing Committee Member Bhola Nath Singh added, “Hockey is more than just a sport for us—it’s a symbol of our unity and pride. The addition of the Women’s HIL this season is a giant leap forward in ensuring equality and recognition for women athletes. With Doordarshan as our partner, we’re ready to present a spectacular season of HIL. ‘Hockey connects us, and this partnership strengthens that bond.’”Through this partnership, hockey enthusiasts from every corner of India, from the smallest villages to the largest cities, will have access to live telecasts of all HIL matches, ensuring that the sport is more accessible than ever.
In an exciting development, Doordarshan’s partnership with Hockey India extends beyond the HIL to include all Hockey India National Championships. Going forward, all national hockey tournaments and events owned by Hockey India will be telecast on Doordarshan, further reinforcing the broadcaster’s commitment to promoting the sport across the nation.
