International hockey federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre said here Monday that the Hockey India League (HIL) has been appreciated globally.
"The FIH is very clear about the importance of HIL and that is why we have allotted a special window to it. After the inaugural season, HIL 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," Negre said.
European Hockey League (EHL) chairman Jons Hensel also echoed similar sentiments.
"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. All the Dutch players who played in the inaugural season returned back with happy stories and rich experience," said Hensel.
HIL chairman Narinder Batra thanked Negre Hensel and said: "HIL is putting in its best efforts to present a more spectacular league in 2014."