'I hope more franchises join women's HIL next year,': Rani Rampal

New Delhi: Women's Hockey India League is set to make its debut with the auctions underway in the capital city of New Delhi on Tuesday.

For the first time in the history of the sport, India has a franchise-based league for women's hockey as the much talked HIL made return in the seven years.

Former Indian captain and one of the best Indian players Rani Rampal is a part of the league but in a different role this time. She has joined the Haryana-based franchise Soorma Hockey Club in the role of mentor and Indian coach.

Talking about her decision to join the coaching staff and not play, Rani said, "Hockey is my passion and I always knew that I would explore more apart from playing on the field. When the role of a coach came, I was very excited to play a part in the new league."

"A player is always a player. Yes, I wanted to play but then as I said, I took the new challenge of coaching," she added further.

Rani has been not a part of the national setup for some time and she moved to coaching last year after taking FIH Coaching courses in Bhubaneswar.

"Yes, I wanted to get back to the national team before the Olympics but then it didn't happen. When JSW came to me with the coaching role, it was a no-brainer as we had been waiting for these leagues since it started in 2013," said Rani on her new challenge.

With Hockey India announcing the new league, a wave of enthusiasm has engulfed women's hockey lovers as the Indian players will have a chance to rub shoulders with the best in the world.

"It is going to be a game changer for women's hockey as it will develop the players with quality hockey being played on the field and it will also help the players financially," Rani said about the impact of the league on Indian women's hockey.

Four franchises will be part of the first edition of the league against the promised six as two teams couldn't be finalized. The auction purse was a mere two crores as compared to the four crores for the men's edition.

Explaining the less purse for auctions, Rani said, "I know the purse is less but it is important to start somewhere. Even if it's a small start, it is good for the sport and as I mentioned it will only help in growing the sport further."

"I am happy that franchises have come there. I hope more franchises come next year and we can have six to eight teams," concluded Rani.

The women's tournament will be played in Marang Gomke Astro turf Stadium in Ranchi from 28th December to 26th Janauary.