Domene, Ruhr strengthen Delhi SG Pipers squad for Hockey India League

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi:  Delhi SG Pipers added further ammunition to their squad for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) with the addition of several high-profile international players to their men’s squad including Tomas Domene, Christopher Ruhr and Flynn Ogilvie on the second day of player auction in New Delhi.

Owned by SG Sports, Media & Entertainment (SGSE), part of the APL Apollo Group, the Delhi-based franchise focused on adding a mixture of Indian and foreign stars to the squad in the auction on Tuesday.

(From left to right): Vinay Gupta, Director, SGSE; PR Sreejesh, Director of Hockey, SGSE; Sanjay Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, APL Apollo; Dave Smolenaars, Women’s Team Head Coach, SG Pipers; Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO, SGSE and Rohan Gupta, Founder, SGSEat the launch of SG Pipers, Delhi’s Franchise for Hockey India League.

The team’s marquee foreign signings included Argentine forward Tomas Domene for Rs. 36 lakh and German forward Christopher Ruhr for Rs. 18 lakh. Ruhr known for his attacking intent on the field brings Olympic experience to the team, while Domene, a prolific goal-scorer, is also expected to cushion the team’s attacking play.

A day after betting big on a young and upcoming Indian player Rohit, the team continued to back young Indians and went big for a talented junior in Aditya Lalage, bagging him for Rs. 20 lakhs.

These acquisitions complement the strong Indian core secured on day one of the auction, which included Olympic bronze medalists Shamsher Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, and Jarmanpreet Singh.

“We have got a very good base, with three players from the Olympic team, two players from junior teams and we filled our quota with eight foreign players as well. We have managed all the areas that we are looking at, be it defence, midfield and forwards. We are balancing everyone. So I think we are really good,” said Director of Hockey of Delhi SG Pipers PR Sreejesh.

He added, “Internationally Ruhr is there with us, who can be a leader for the team, who can guide the youngsters with his experience. And then the two junior players, Ankit and Rohit, they are also new to the senior level but I believe that this is going to give them a very good platform where they can perform well.”

Delhi SG Pipers also bought Ankit Pal (Rs. 20 lakh), Australian midfielder Flynn Ogilvie (Rs. 10 lakh), Belgian Nicolas de Kerpel (Rs. 10 lakh), and Dutch midfielder Jorrit Croon (Rs. 10 lakh), Spanish defender Pau Clapes (Rs. 10 lakh), Australian forward Ky Willott (Rs. 10.5 lakh), Dilraj Singh (Rs. 5 lakh), Joginder Singh (Rs. 5.2 lakh) and Saurabh Anand Kushwaha (Rs. 5 lakh).

Men’s team head coach Graham Reid said, “Today, we were really trying to focus on the overseas players. So I think we’ve done pretty well there. We’ve got some good experience and got some really good players in that line in the overseas side. I am happy with the overall structure of the team. You have to move things around and depending on who comes up when and where and everything. So that’s been the difficult part. But yeah, I am happy.”

Delhi SG Pipers also own a women’s team in the Hockey India League and will be involved in the women’s auction on October 15.

Delhi SG Pipers squad so far:

• Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Rohit, Pau Clapes, Joginder Singh
• Midfielders: Shamsher Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Ky Willott, Ankit Pal, Christopher Ruhr, Flynn Ogilvie, Jorrit Croon
• Forwards: Tomas Domene, Nicolas De Kerpel, Dilraj Singh, Aditya Lalage
• Goalkeepers: Tomas Santiago, Pawan

About SG Sports, Media & Entertainment:

SG Sports – Media – Entertainment proudly owns and manages sports teams across an array of established and emerging sports in India. With a dynamic approach, our portfolio of teams spans across Chess, Tennis, Table Tennis, Padel, Basketball and popular mass sports like Cricket, Football and Hockey.

We’re all about the spirit of the sports, from the players on the field to the millions of fans cheering from the sidelines.