MUMBAI: Hockey India, which is creating a rival league against the one that Neo Sports is in control of, has signed up 28 Indian national players for its nascent hockey league as it gears for the January 2013 launch date.

Among those who have signed contracts with HI include Shivendra Singh, Tushar Khandker, and Yuvraj Walmiki.

?The league will help India unearth new talent as the Indian youngsters will be playing alongside top international stalwarts,? HI secretary general Narendra Batra said in a statement.

Batra also informed that more than 200 Indian and international players are expected to sign up for the league, which will be held in partnership with International Hockey Federation.

?Till now 28 Indian players have made themselves available for the league. In total around 140 to 150 Indian players and 80 to 100 foreign players will sign up,? Batra added.

HI is currently engaged in a bitter tussle with World Series Hockey promoters Indian Hockey Federation and Nimbus Sport, the sports marketing arm of Nimbus Communications, which owns and operates Neo Sports and Neo Prime channels, through its subsidiary Neo Sports Broadcast.

The inaugural season of the Hockey India League will consist of six franchise-based teams in six cities across India. Each team will have 24 players including 10 foreign and 14 Indians.

?These players will be then put up for auction in September. Since it is a six team league, so in total 144 will represent six franchises,? Batra added.

The first edition of the mega-league will be played in January-February 2013 involving 33 matches.

"There will be a live telecast of all 33 league matches on a leading international sports channel," said FIH.