HIL Highlights: Delhi SG Pipers win on shoot-out against Team Gonasika

Glimpse from the opening ceremony

It's about time...

We are just moments away from the first match of the 2024 Hockey India League...

HIL declared OPEN!

Jual Oram, the Indian Minister of Tribal Affairs, declares the Hockey India League open.

"With immense pride I declare the Hockey India League 2024 officially open. Let the games begin," he says as firecrackers go off across the Birsa Munda Stadium. 

Ikram Tayyab with a few words

FIH President Ikram Tayyab with a few words. He pays a tribute to Dr Manmohan Singh, congratulates Rourkela, and the Indian men's hockey team for their 2024 Paris Olympics bronze. 

"Come back of Hockey India League is an important milestone," he says, thanking Dilip Tirkey and Bholanath Singh of Hockey India for the revival of the league.

Captains Assemble!

The 12 captains – eight men's team, and four women's team – are called upon for an official photograph. 

Shamsher Singh, Sumit, Rupinderpal Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Aaron Zalewski, Navneet Kaur, Neha Goyal, Udita, Salima Tete are the leaders for their respective teams.

Australia's Aaron Zalewski is the only overseas captain in the league. He will lead the Kalinga Lancers.

Trophies unveiled

Former India internationals Zafar Iqbal, Shamsher Singh, Ajit Pal Singh, Ignesh Tirkey, current Indian captains Harmanpreet Singh, Salima Tete, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey, FIH President Tayyab Ikram all combine to unveil the 2024 Hockey India League trophies for both the men's and women's competitions

The gates are open and the fans are flocking in for the start of the new #HeroHIL season!

Watch the LIVE action on DD Sports, Waves, Sony TEN 1, Sony TEN 3, Sony TEN 4 and Sony LIV!#HockeyKaJashn #HILIsBack #HeroHILIsBack pic.twitter.com/8Jgq7J71Wr

— Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) December 28, 2024

Team introductions

The teams are being introduced one by one. Hyderabad Toofans are the first to be called upon the stage, followed by Rarh Bengal Tigers and Soorma Hockey Club.

A light show to start off

A light show with some beautiful lasers enthral the spectators present at the Birsa Munda Hockey stadium in Rourkela.

A minute of silence for Manmohan Singh

As reported earlier, the entertainment performances for the night have been called off. We start with a minute of silence for former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who passed away on Thursday.