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Lucknow: Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh, who is leading Delhi Waveriders in the inaugural Hockey India League, said that the five-team HIL is a historical event and it would help in restoring the lost glory of the game.
Sardar, who was here to play against Uttar Pradesh Wizard, told PTI that Premier Hockey League started in 2005 gave several players, including himself, to the national team and now HIL would start a new era.
He said that the league is amongst the best hockey event in the world as top players like Jamie Dwyer and Teun De Nooijer are participating in the event.
Sardar feels it's a good platform for the young players to display their talent.
"Around 50 Olympians and almost all the players of the senior team are playing in HIL. Top players of Holland, Germany and Australia, who are known for their speed are playing in the tournament, against whom we only get a chance to play in big events. In HIL our players will get a chance to play with or against these players, which would definitely benefit them," he said.
Sardar stressed on the need for organising more such events as he feels the number of hockey test series are reducing.
In such a situation, we don't get a chance to play with foreign teams, therefore there should be tournaments like HIL, he said.
The highest-paid marquee player of the HIL Sardar said such tournaments are also needed for the betterment of the sport and increase people's interest in it, as spectators want to watch games with speed and skill instead of boring hockey.
Sardar termed the comparison of Indian Premier League with HIL as 'early' saying that popularity of cricket is not a hidden fact while the hockey league has just started.
"Yes hockey will regain the top and its glory will return," he said.
