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Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, a new franchise based in Kolkata, is set to debut in the Hockey India League (HIL), which will make a much-anticipated return after a seven-year break.
The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers will be coached by experienced Australian coaches, with Colin Batch leading the men's team and Glenn Turner guiding the women's side. This addition brings a fresh dynamic to the league, which will showcase top international players over a 36-day period, starting on December 28.
The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers announced their coaching staff during a press conference on Wednesday (via Sporstar). The teams will train at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) astro-turf ground in Kolkata from December 10 to 19 before moving to Rourkela for the final phase of their training camp.
Rourkela will also serve as the host city for the men’s matches, while the women’s matches will take place in Ranchi.
Well-known hockey coach Romesh Pathania, who has been appointed as an advisor to the Bengal Tigers, emphasized the franchise's focus on both building a competitive team and nurturing young talent in the region.
He added that while building a strong side remains their focus, the franchise also aims to groom players at the grassroots level in the state, which will make them ready to play in the league and the country ahead.
Leander Paes lends support to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
Lending his support to the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, tennis icon Leander Paes, who is also the son of Olympic bronze medallist hockey player Vece Paes, highlighted the importance of grassroots development in Indian sports.
“The grassroots feeder system needs to improve in India. Shrachi Sports looks at the full pyramid of sports,” Paes was quoted as saying during the press conference.
With the league's return, the Hockey India League is set to become the first professional hockey league in the world to feature concurrent competitions for both men and women.
Eight men's teams and six women's teams will compete in the tournament, with a dedicated five-week window allocated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The women's final is scheduled for January 26 in Ranchi, while the men's final will take place on February 1 in Rourkela.
