HIL 4 players auction to be held on Sept 17

A total of 135 Indian and 142 foreign players will go under the hammer when the players auction for the fourth edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) gets underway at city hotel here on September 17.

The six <g data-gr-id="17">franchisee</g> will bid for players from India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, England, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, Malaysia, Japan and Korea to complete their teams. Earlier in August this year, HIL had provided all the <g data-gr-id="15">franchisees</g> the option to retain <g data-gr-id="18">upto</g> three Indian and as many foreign players, while releasing the rest of the squad.

A total of 276 players are listed for the auction and among them, 135 players are from India and 142 players belong to other leading hockey nations. Under the new rules and regulations, franchisees can build a team of 20 players, which allows each <g data-gr-id="13">franchisee</g> to have 12 Indian players and 8 foreign players.

Defending champions Ranchi Rays retained its total quota of six players, including team captain Ashley Jackson along with Barry Middleton and Fergus Kavanagh.