The Hero Hockey India League (HIL), which concluded its inaugural season in February, was established after the country placed 12th at London 2012 - it worst ever show at a Games - in an attempt to revive its 1928 to 1980 heyday, during which the nation won eight Olympic gold medals.

The first edition, which was broadcast in 146 countries around the world, featured 70 domestic players - including the Indian national side, and 50 international athletes from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, Spain, and Argentina.

Negre, who was in India for the unveiling of plans for the second season, described the league as an important "milestone".

"The FIH is very clear about the importance of Hero HIL and that's why we have allotted a special window to it," the Spaniard said.

"After the inaugural season, the Hero Hockey India League is appreciated globally by everyone and I am hopeful that the league will prove to be a new milestone for the future of Indian Hockey."


Also in India for the workshop was Euro Hockey League (EHL) chairman Jons Hensel who echoed Negre's sentiment.

"Hero Hockey India League has gained the right momentum in the inaugural season and it has the potential to grow to a large scale in the coming years," he said.

"All the Dutch players who played in the inaugural season of Hero HIL returned back with happy stories and rich experience."

Hockey India League chairman Narinder Batra added: "Hero HIL is putting in its best efforts to present a more spectacular League in 2014, and we obtain precious inputs in the workshop from our special guests and franchise members on which we will work in the coming days."

The second month-long season is due to be played from January 23 to February 23, 2014.

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