MUMBAI: As many as 120 hockey players were sold to franchises at the Hockey India League (HIL) players? auction on Sunday.

Like the IPL, some players went for much more than their base price while others were unsold. Midfielder Sardar Singh made the most money of $78,000 (Rs 42,90,000) from Delhi WaveRiders. Uttar Pradesh Wizards bought drag-flicker V R Raghunath for $76,000. This was more than five times his base price. He expressed surprise at getting such a good deal.

Australian Jamie Dwyer was bought by Jaypee Punjab Warriors for $60,000. German Mortiz Fuertse was bought by Ranchi Rhinos for $75,500 and Teun Nooijer by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for $66,000.Not everybody hit the jackpot though. Sandeep Singh was bought by Mumbai Magicians for his base price of $27,800 (Rs.15,29,000). Like the IPL past performances matter. Bharat Chetri who led India in their poor run at the Olympics was not picked.

Nine out of the 15 Pakistani players available for auction were bought. Mumbai Magicians bought four Pakistani players - Mohammad Rashid for $41,000, Mohammad Tousiq $27,000, Fareed Ahmed for $21,000 and goalkeeper Imran Butt for $5,500. No Pakistan player takes part in the IPL.

There are five franchises who will compete in the HIL which starts next month. The Indian national team fared poorly at the Olympics but made the semi final of the Champions Trophy.

MUMBAI: In a move that is not surprising Hockey India plans to launch a franchise based league in January 2013. The FIH hockey?s governing body has given the event a window.

This is the second hockey league following the inaugural edition of Nimbus Sport?s and IHF?s World Series Hockey (WSH) which was held earlier this year.

The tournament will have six franchises.12 cities have been shortlisted. The players will be bought by the franchises in an IPL style auction in September.

Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra has said that the FIH has given clearance for one month next year during which no international event will be held. "This has been done so that top players like Jamie Dwyer, Teun de Nooijer are free from any international engagements." He also says that interest has been expressed by groups in owning a team.

Each franchise will have a budget of Rs.30 million to form a 24- member squad, comprising 10 overseas and 14 domestic players who will be bought in the earlier mentioned auction.

The question is whether the sport can support two leagues. This move is very much reminiscent of the BCCI launching the IPL in 2008 to counter Zee?s ICL.