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| No Mumbai Magicians in HIL 2014? |
In midst of news about mini auction and introduction of two teams, another news that is cropping up surrounding one of Hockey India League teams. If sources are to be believed, Dabur family owned Mumbai Magicians have decided to pull out of next edition of Hockey India League which will begin in the third week of January.
It is believed that Mumbai Magicians were not taking the team and commitment towards developing the sport seriously and Hockey India had pulled Mumbai Magicians for the same.
Hockey India general secretary Narinder Batra discredited the news saying that there was no difference between the franchisee and Hockey India League and the preparations were on full stretch for the next season. Batra said,” No one from our side or their side has discussed anything of that sort. In fact, preparations of forthcoming season are on.”
Mumbai Magicians officials and Hockey India were supposed to have a meeting on 6th September to discuss the issue and Chief Operating Officer of Mumbai Magicians had asked the media persons to contact him after the meeting. As of now, there is not such communication from the team of the officials regarding the pull out.
Striker Sarvanjit Singh who was part of Mumbai Magicians side said that the players were informed about the decision to quit HIL last month so all the players have entered their name in the mini-auction to be taken place next month. Sarvanjit said,” We were informed about the decision last month. It is disappointing because Mumbai has been discontinued but as a player, my target is to find a new team to play for. Hopefully, I will be picked in the upcoming auctions.”
Team owner Mohit Burman however quashed the news terming it to be rumors and said that the team is ready for next year’s Hockey India League.
The news of Mumbai Magicians pulling out of Hockey India League will surely come as a blow to both fans and organizers who were trying really hard to promote the game in the country after years of darkness.
Still there is no confirmation regarding Mumbai Magicians pulling out of the league but even the news of the same is sure to send shocks in the hockey circles around the country.
