Tom Boon Fetches Highest Price Tag in Hockey India League 2015 Closed Bid

Belgium forward Tom Boon on Saturday fetched the highest price in the closed bid for 2015 season of the Hockey India League after he was bought by newcomers Dabang Mumbai for a whopping USD 103,000.

Dabang Mumbai is being run by DoIT Sports Management who is the new owner of the franchise, earlier called 'Mumbai Magicians', owned by Dabur Group which pulled out of the third edition of HIL.

After the first two disappointing seasons, the Mumbai franchise was looking towards a fresh start in the HIL and have put together a completely new, formidable side and also have roped in new coaching set-up.

Unlike other six teams, Dabang Mumbai have exhausted their entire USD 7,50,000 purse and have managed to put together a competitive outfit which includes the likes of Boon, Australian Mathew Swann (the second highest purchased player at USD 78,000), Glenn Turner, David Harte, Floris Evers, Indian veterans Arjun Halappa and Bharat Chikara among others.

In the closed bid on Saturday there were 149 players, which includes 95 domestic and 54 foreign players, up for sale and Boon turned out to be the most sought-after player with a price tag of at USD 103000, which is the highest for any player in the HILL since its start.

Australian midfielder Swann, also picked by Dabang Mumbai, is the second highest at USD 78000, closely followed by Indian national team goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who has been bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards, for USD 69000.

 Another new franchise Ranchi Rays going for Australian Striker, Trent Mitton for USD 67000.

Another new franchise, Ranchi Rays, who replaced inaugural HHIL champions Ranchi Rhinos, have retained most of the players who played in the earlier two editions of the league.

The Ranchi team, owned by India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have made just six changes from previous Ranchi Rhinos squad and have roped in Australian duo of Trent Mitton (USD 67000) -- fourth highest bid player and Daniel Beale. Reigning champions Delhi Waveriders have picked up just three players -- Andrew Hayward of New Zealand and Indian duo of Gurpreet Singh and Diwakar Ram, while last year's runners-up Jaypee Punjab Warriors have made just one purchase in young Indian midfielder Simranjeet Singh from Saturday's closed bid.

Uttar Pradesh Wizards have picked up four players the most prominent among them is India's national team goalkeeper and vice-captain P R Sreejesh.

Kalinga Lancers, who returned with wooden-spoon in last HIL, meanwhile, have picked up four new players from the closed bid. The Lancers also have a new coach in Jude Felix, who replaced Australian Terry Walsh.

While Ranchi Rays named Harendra Singh as their chief coach, Dabang Mumbai have roped in German Valentin Altenburg at their head coach and Indian Olympian Anil Aldrin as the assitant coach.

Kalinga Lancers have handpicked 23-member squad for HIL 2015, while other five teams have 24 players in the squad.

"It is a fresh start for us and we will try to play enthusiastic and offensive hockey. We will try to celebrate hockey while playing," newly-appointed Dabang Mumbai coach Valentin said.

Interestingly, Uttar Pradesh Wizards have picked up three top goalkeepers -- Sreejesh, Australian George Bazeley and Kumar Subramaniam of Malaysia in their squad, and the team's chief coach Roelant Oltmans justified the rational behind such a move.

"Our objective every year is to make the team stronger. With Sreejesh in goal it gives us an opportunity to play five foreign players and that's likely what we are going to so," he said.

Title holders Delhi Waveriders coach Cedric D'souza said his team would like to rectify the mistakes which they committed in last HIL.

"The competition in HHIL. Last year is gone, it is dead and over. 2015 HIL is a new tournament and we will try to address some loopholes which we found in our game last year," D'souza said.