Rourkela: Affan Yousuf maneuvered past the opposition defense right after the pushback, delivering an impressive pass to Sukhjeet Singh, who scored just 23 seconds into the match, marking the fastest goal in the Hockey India League (HIL).

The agile midfielder played a pivotal role throughout the 60-minute match against Delhi SG Pipers, contributing to three of the four goals scored by his team, leading the Rupinder Pal Singh-coached squad to a 4-1 victory at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium.

At 30 years old, Affan has demonstrated exceptional performance in the HIL, propelling the Tigers to the top of the standings with three consecutive wins. In addition to his success in the HIL, the Bhopal native has been tirelessly working in the domestic circuit, aspiring to make a return to the national team. However, his efforts have yet to bear fruit. Affan recognizes that this may be his moment, especially with the spotlight on this eight-team league in Indian hockey.

“Age is merely a number. As long as you are performing, opportunities will always be available,” stated Affan, who led the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) to victory in the Inter-Departmental nationals in September, which has bolstered his confidence regarding selection in the HIL auction.

Once regarded as one of the most promising talents in Indian hockey, Affan's presence diminished after earning 25 caps for the national team, the last of which was in 2017. Like Affan, numerous other players who have been on the periphery of the national team view the HIL as a significant opportunity.

Talwinder Singh, Gursahibjit Singh, Sumit Kumar, Jaskaran Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Karthi Selvam, Harjeet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Mor, and Surender Kumar are among those who have experienced fluctuations in their involvement with the team, core group, or national camp over the past few years.

Some players have been fortunate to earn a few caps for India as the head coach has experimented with various squads; however, the core group has predominantly remained unchanged, as the team management preferred minimal alterations during this critical period.

The year 2021 featured the Tokyo Olympics, followed by the Commonwealth Games in 2022. In 2023, the World Cup took place alongside the Asian Games, which served as an Olympic qualifier, while 2024 is focused on the Paris Olympics.

As the new Olympic cycle begins, Fulton aims to construct a team with an eye toward the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. Consequently, these players, who have fallen out of favor, view the relaunch of the Hockey India League (HIL) after an eight-year break as a significant opportunity to revive their international careers.

“This is a tremendous opportunity. Who better than I to understand this? I made it to the Indian team in 2016 thanks to HIL. While it serves as an excellent platform for the younger generation, it is equally beneficial for us experienced players,” states Surender, a bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics, who last represented India in January 2023 and is currently competing for UP Rudras in HIL.

“If we perform well and showcase our skills, then why not? It is indeed possible. HIL offers a level of competition that closely resembles international hockey, given the presence of numerous international players.”

While some athletes have worked diligently over the past two years to secure a spot among the core probables, others have not represented India for several seasons. Nevertheless, history demonstrates that remarkable comebacks can occur. For instance, Preeti Dubey rejoined the Indian women’s team in 2024 after a seven-year absence.

Amit Rohidas, a former captain of India, exemplifies a player whose career was revitalized by HIL. After participating in a few matches for India in 2013-14, the Odisha player was dropped and remained out of the national team for three and a half years.

However, Rohidas had an outstanding season in HIL 2017, showcasing exceptional defensive skills and fearlessness against powerful flicks during penalty corner defenses, which contributed to Kalinga Lancers' title victory. It was following this performance that the 31-year-old...

At that time, I was informed that I was too old to return to the Indian team. However, I persevered. I focused on enhancing my skills, staying fit, and performing at a high level. The Hockey India League in 2017 marked a significant turning point in my career. Here I am, still actively competing. My goal now is to secure a third Olympic medal in Los Angeles, remarked Rohidas, who has two tattoos on his left forearm representing his Olympic medals from 2021 and 2024.

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