World Series Hockey

Bridgestone World Series Hockey
Founded2011
First season2012
AdministratorIndian Hockey Federation
No. of teams8
CountryIndia
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra, India
Most recent
champion(s)		Sher-e-Punjab (1st title)
Most titlesSher-e-Punjab (1 title)
Tournament formatDouble Round-robin and Knock-out

World Series Hockey (WSH) was a professional league for field hockey competition in India. It was organised by Indian Hockey Federation with the objective to reinvigorate hockey in India. It was contested among eight franchise-based teams consisting of players from India and around the world. The entire event took place on home and away basis culminating into multi header playoffs. Australian Dennis Meredith, a member of the FIH panel of tournament directors, was the technical director of the WSH.[1] It was sponsored by tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone, and therefore officially known as Bridgestone World Series Hockey.[2][3]

History

First season

The inaugural season of WSH was to take place from 17 December 2011 to 22 January 2012, but later was postponed owing to Olympic qualifiers.[4] It kicked off on 29 February amidst confusion and controversies when the Indian players opted out of the tournament and FIH, HI and PHF warned players looking to participate in the WSH that they will be suspended from international matches as the event was unsanctioned.

A total of 59 matches were played in 34 days. The top four teams in the league phase advanced to the semi-finals followed by the final which was played in Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai. Sher-e-Punjab defeated Pune Strykers 5 – 2 to become the champions of the first WSH.

Second season

The second season of World Series Hockey was supposed to be played from 15 December 2012 to 20 January 2013.[5][6][7]

Competition format

Rules

The event was played according to the traditional hockey rules, apart from a few variations. All the matches were of 70 minutes, but instead of two-halves, the games are divided into four-quarters of 17-and-a-half minutes, to give more rest to players, and provide opportunities to sponsors and advertisers. Each team could have a maximum of 25 registered players, out of which 18 played. Time-outs (2 minutes) could be called once in each half. There were video umpires in all games. In the event that the referral is upheld, the referring team would retain its right.[8][9] A penalty stroke was awarded in case of an intentional foul. The shoot-outs are used only in the knockout stage.[9]

League phase

Each team played the other twice; home and away. Top four teams qualify for the semi-finals. If at the end of the league phase two or more teams have the same number of points, these teams will be ranked according to the following criteria:

  1. Respective number of matches won
  2. Higher number of wins
  3. Goal difference
  4. Number of goals scored
  5. Head to head record
  6. Shoot‐out competition

Playoffs

The four teams with the best record after the league phase qualify for the playoffs. The winners of each playoff semis qualifies for the final.[9]

Franchises

Team name City Home ground Owner(s) Captain[10][11] Head Coach[10][11]
Bhopal Badshahs Bhopal Aishbagh Stadium Dainik Bhaskar Sameer Dad Vasudevan Bhaskaran
Chandigarh Comets Chandigarh Sector 42 Stadium Rehan Butt Harendra Singh
Chennai Cheetahs[12][13][14] Chennai Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium Chennai Sports Organisers Pvt. Ltd. Brent Livermore Jose Brasa
Delhi Wizards[15][16] Delhi Dhyan Chand National Stadium Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd Shakeel Abbasi Darryl D'Souza
Karnataka Lions[17][18] Bangalore Bangalore Hockey Stadium Sporting Ace Pvt. Ltd. (Zentrum Group) Arjun Halappa Jude Felix
Mumbai Marines[19][20][21] Mumbai Mahindra Hockey Stadium Ashish Bharatram (SRF Group) and Harish Thawani (Nimbus) Adrian D'Souza Andrew Meredith
Pune Strykers[22][23][24] Pune PCMC Hockey Stadium Sai Grace Sports & Events Pvt. Ltd. Ken Pereira Gundeep Singh
Sher-e-Punjab Jalandhar Surjeet Hockey Stadium Prabhjot Singh Rajinder Singh

Players

Each team could have a maximum of 25 registered players. The tournament included Pakistani superstar and legend Waseem Ahmad along with seven other Pakistani players. The players were finalized on 28 November and 10 February based on the draft system.[25] The captains of eight teams were announced at a media conference and the list includes four Indian players and four foreign players. WSH signed on eight world-renowned coaches to take charge of the teams.[26]

Trophy

Trophy of Bridgestone World Series Hockey comprised a large cup with two hockey sticks on either sides. The trophy was unveiled by actor Saif Ali Khan, Viren Rasquinha, Prabhjot Singh, Arjun Halappa and Rajpal Singh at a press conference in Mumbai.[27]

Sponsorship

Tyre manufacturers Bridgestone became the title sponsors of World Series Hockey for the inaugural season.[2] Other major sponsors of the league included Vodafone and Seagram's Imperial Blue.[28]

Prize money

The prize money for WSH was at the time the highest prize money for any hockey event in the world, 30 times more than the Euro Hockey League. The total prize money was excess of 100 million Indian rupees.

Final positions
Position Prize money
Champions ₹ 40 million (US$ 800,000)
Runners-up ₹ 20 million (US$ 400,000)
Third place ₹ 10 million (US$ 200,000)
Fourth place ₹ 10 million (US$ 200,000)
Individual Prizes
Award Prize money
WSH Rockstar (most valuable player) ₹ 10 million (US$ 200,000)
Indian Super Star (star Indian Player) ₹ 5 million (US$ 100,000)
Golden Stick (highest goal scorer) ₹ 2.5 million (US$ 50,000)
Game Changer (best midfielder, defender or goalkeeper) ₹ 2.5 million (US$ 50,000)
Rookie of the Year (under 21) ₹ 1 million (US$ 20,000)

If an Indian player becomes WSH Rockstar, the prize for the Indian Superstar will be awarded to the next best Indian player. All WSH franchises have committed to share a minimum of 50% of their team winnings with the players.[29]

Brand ambassador

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty is appointed as the brand ambassador for the World Series Hockey.[30]

Statistics

Season Date Final Man of the tournament
Venue Champions Result Runners-up
2012 2 April 2012 Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Mumbai Sher-e-Punjab 5 – 2 Pune Strykers India Gurjinder Singh (CCO)
(19 goals in 15 matches)

Performance of teams

Team Matches Won Drawn Lost For Against Win% Best Titles
Sher-e-Punjab 16 10 1 5 54 38 66.67% Champions 1
Pune Strykers 16 7 3 6 47 51 53.85% Runners-up 0
Chandigarh Comets 15 9 1 5 50 38 64.29% Semi-finalists 0
Karnataka Lions 15 7 0 8 35 44 46.67% Semi-finalists 0
Delhi Wizards 14 6 1 7 36 37 46.15% 5th of 8 0
Chennai Cheetahs 14 6 1 7 41 43 46.15% 6th of 8 0
Bhopal Badshahs 14 5 2 7 32 37 41.67% 7th of 8 0
Mumbai Marines 14 4 1 9 32 39 30.77% 8th of 8 0

Top scorers

All-time top scorers in the World Series Hockey
(WSH goals only)
Rank Player Team Goals
1 India Gurjinder Singh CCO 19
Pakistan Syed Imran Warsi CCH 19
3 India Len Aiyappa KL 13
4 India Deepak Thakur SP 12
India Gurpreet Singh PS 12
India Vikramjit Singh DW 12
7 India Prabhjot Singh SP 10
Canada Gabbar Singh CCO 10
9 India Adam Sinclair CCH 9
10 Pakistan Shakeel Abbasi DW 8

The top goal scorer of the league is awarded with golden stick and a prize money of ₹ 2.5 million (US$ 25,000). Apart from this, ₹ 5,000 is given to the players for the goal of the match. Champion team Sher-e-Punjab holds the record for most goals scored (54 in 16 matches). Delhi Wizards and Bhopal Badshahs have conceded the fewest goals (37 in 14 matches).

The highest-scoring matches to date in the World Series Hockey occurred twice: Pune Strykers beat Mumbai Marines and Delhi defeated Punjab. Both the matches ended up 7–5. Out of Pune's 7 goals, 5 were scored by Gurpreet Singh, which is also the most goals scored in a WSH match by an individual.

Technical committee

The technical committee for World Series Hockey included Dennis Meredith, former Indian coach Joaquim Carvolho, former captain and one of the best goalkeepers of India Ashish Ballal, former Chairman of the International Hockey Federation umpiring committee Peter Von Reth, M.P. Ganesh, Shahbaz Ahmed and Zafar Iqbal.[31][32]

1996 Atlanta Olympics Indian goalkeeper Alloysius Edwards was chosen as one of the managers of the World Series Hockey,[33] whereas sports medicine expert P. S. M. Chandran, involved with multiple sports at the international level for more than three decades, was elected as chief medical officer.[34][35]

Controversies

The IHF has not been recognised by the International Hockey Federation as the governing body for the sport in India. Instead, the FIH recognises Hockey India as the sole national governing body for the sport. It remained an unsanctioned event as per the FIH statutes.[36]

Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has said that any player who participates in the WSH will be banned from domestic competitions. FIH wrote a letter to PHF which clearly stated that the league is unsanctioned and its players would not take part. Earlier, the FIH had stated that those who had signed their contracts before 28 March 2011 could play in the league, but situation has changed. Apart from Rehan, Zeeshan Ashraf, Mudassar Ali, Tariq Aziz, Adnan Maqsood, Waseem Ahmad, Syed Imran Warsi and Shakeel Abbasi were signed to play in WSH.[37]

FIH president Leandro Negre served a direct warning to players looking to participate in the WSH that they will be suspended from international matches. The entire Indian squad signed a contract to play in the league but Negre made it clear that any Indian player who participates will be banned from the Olympic qualifiers and all FIH tournaments.[38]

Former Indian coach Harendra Singh criticized the FIH and Hockey India over interfering in a domestic tournament and stopping players from participating in the WSH. According to him, playing matches is more beneficial for the players than attending camps for the Olympic qualifiers.[39][40]

On 30 November, six top Indian players pulled out of the league in favor of the national camp for the Olympic qualifiers. In a letter, addressed to Hockey India secretary Narinder Batra and signed by skipper Bharat Chettri, Tushar Khandekar, Yuvraj Walmiki, Sreejesh, Sandeep Singh and Sardar Singh, the players said they would be available for selection. The WSH, however, said that they were yet to get communication from any WSH player regarding their non-availability for the inaugural edition.[41]

On 1 December, six more Indian players pulled out of the World Series Hockey, citing national camp that would coincide with the league start. The six players - Rupinder Pal Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Kangujam Chinglensana Singh, Manjeet Kullu, Birendra Lakra and Manpreet Singh - in a letter assured the Hockey India that they would attend the national camp.[42]

Sources claimed that coach requested Hockey India to postpone camp from 11 December to sometime in January so that national players can feature in inaugural World Series Hockey.[43] Organisers of the WSH have said they are open to postponing the event by three months, till after the Olympic Qualification tournament.[44] The organisers postponed the event with condition of written guarantee from HI and an assurance that they will allow all the players to participate in the tournament after the qualifiers.[45]

The tournament got clearance from Delhi High Court on 13 February, adding that the schedule did not clash with international commitments of the national team.[46]

18 players of the Indian team that qualified for the Olympics decided to skip the league after a team meeting.[47] International Hockey Federation said that it can sanction the WSH only if the two organisations, Hockey India and Indian Hockey Federation, reach an agreement.[citation needed]

Media

Broadcast rights

Country Broadcaster Internet
 India NEO Sports[48]
NEO Prime 		YouTube (worldwide)
 Pakistan GEO Super[49]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Field Hockey.

References

  1. ^ S. Thyagarajan (30 August 2011). "Dennis Meredith is WSH Technical Director". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Bridgestone bags title sponsorship rights for WSH". The Economic Times.
  3. ^ S. Thyagarajan (27 March 2012). "World Series Hockey matches available on YouTube". The Times of India. Mumbai, India. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  4. ^ "World Series Hockey postponed to February 29". NDTV. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  5. ^ "World Series Hockey season 2 from December 15". NDTV. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  6. ^ "World Series Hockey from December 15". The Times of India. 7 September 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  7. ^ "World Series Hockey season 2 to commence on Dec 15". Rediff. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  8. ^ "World Series of Hockey: National Stadium to host opening match". Rediff.com. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  9. ^ a b c "Regulation of World Series Hockey" (PDF). World Series Hockey. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  10. ^ a b "WSH teams get its captains & coaches | Indian Sports News". www.indiansportsnews.com. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Captains, coaches named for WSH teams". The Times of India. 26 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Nimbus concludes franchise allocation for World Series Hockey « Best Media Info, News and Analysis on Indian Advertising, Marketing and Media Industry". Bestmediainfo.com. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  13. ^ "Chennai Cheetahs, first WSH franchise to be unveiled | Hockey | NDTVSports.com". NDTV. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  14. ^ "> News Headlines > WSH gets Chennai Cheetahs as first franchisee". Indiantelevision.com. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  15. ^ "Delhi Wizards fourth team to play in World Series Hockey". Zee News. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  16. ^ "> News Headlines > Wizcraft International joins World Series Hockey with 'Delhi Wizards'". Indiantelevision.com. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  17. ^ "Suniel Shetty to lead WSH Bangalore Franchise "Karnataka Lions"". The Fans of Hockey. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  18. ^ "Suniel Shetty chief mentor of WSH's Bangalore franchise | Hockey | NDTVSports.com". NDTV. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  19. ^ "Mumbai Warriors is the new WSH team". The Times of India. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  20. ^ "Mumbai Warriors is the new WSH team". Indiaeveryday.in. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  21. ^ "World Series Hockey Mumbai franchise names team Mumbai Marines". Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  22. ^ "Pune gets World Series of Hockey team". Indian Express. 26 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  23. ^ "Pune Strykers are third team in World Series Hockey | Hockey". NDTV. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  24. ^ "WSH unveils Pune franchise, names it Pune Strykers". The Times of India. 25 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  25. ^ "Dhanraj to represent Karnataka in WSH: Final Teams". The Fans of Hockey. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  26. ^ "Know the Coaches for World Series Hockey". The Fans of Hockey. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  27. ^ "Saif Ali Khan and Hockey Stars unveil Bridgestone World Series Hockey Trophy". World Series Hockey.
  28. ^ "Vodafone, Seagram's Imperial Blue join WSH as sponsors". The Indian Express.
  29. ^ "World Series Hockey champions to get Rs 4 crore as prize money". The Times of India. 19 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  30. ^ "Suniel Shetty is brand ambassador of World Series Hockey". The Times of India.
  31. ^ "WSH Announces Power Packed Technical Committee".
  32. ^ "WSH ropes in Tina Brullo as competition operations manager". The Times of India. 24 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  33. ^ Special Correspondent (6 December 2011). "States / Andhra Pradesh : Alloysius Edwards may be manager of World Series Hockey League". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  34. ^ "Top notch medical support for WSH: Dr. PSM Chandran Signs on as CMO". The Fans of Hockey. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  35. ^ "Chandran appointed chief medical officer for WSH". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  36. ^ S. Thyagarajan (24 July 2011). "Sport / Hockey : World Series of Hockey and after…". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  37. ^ "Pakistani players may skip World Series Hockey". The Times of India. 15 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  38. ^ "Playing in WSH will result in suspension, warns FIH president". Daily News and Analysis. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  39. ^ "'FIH can't interfere in World Series Hockey'". CNN-IBN. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  40. ^ "FIH can't interfere in a domestic event like WSH: Harendra". The Times of India. 27 November 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  41. ^ "Key Indian players pull out of World Series Hockey". The Times of India. 1 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  42. ^ "World Series Hockey: Six more players break ties : In Focus London Olympics News - India Today". India Today. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  43. ^ Ferro, Ashwin (8 December 2011). "Coach Nobbs ready to delay national camp". MiD DAY. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  44. ^ "Ready to postpone WSH till March, organisers tell court". Indian Express. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  45. ^ "World Series Hockey likely to be postponed - Sport - DNA". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  46. ^ "Delhi HC paves way for players' participation in World Series Hockey". Times of India. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  47. ^ "Team India set to skip World Series". Deccan Herald. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  48. ^ "Neo Sports to broadcast World Series Hockey". Dailypioneer.com. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  49. ^ "Geo Super to cover World Series Hockey live from India". The News International. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2012.

External links

  • World Series Hockey on SPORT195
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