India women’s hockey team player Savita Punia urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and actor Shah Rukh Khan to save the Women’s Hockey India League, which faces the threat of going under amid financial constraints.
Sportstar had reported last week that only two of the four teams’ owners are willing to continue operating, due to high costs, low broadcast and ticket revenue, and not enough sponsorship.
Requesting PM Modi to intervene in the matter, Savita wrote on her social media: “Sir, our women just rewrote hockey history after 52 years [at the World Cup]. The league that built these players — the Women’s HIL — needs support to survive. A word from you could change its fate.”
Savita also urged Shah Rukh to help create an ecosystem like the IPL, where he owns the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise.
“You’ve championed sport and women’s talent before — Priyanka Chopra with women’s causes, SRK with KKR, Ananya Birla with young talent. Women’s hockey needs your voice right now. A single tweet from you could bring sponsors and visibility back to WHIL.
“Nita Ambani ji has long championed grassroots sport and Olympic talent through Reliance Foundation. Women’s HIL is exactly the kind of grassroots-to-elite pipeline that needs a backer like this right now,” she wrote.
Savita’s appeal came hours after India defeated Germany 3-1 in the fifth-place classification game, securing India’s best finish at the FIH Women’s World Cup since 1974.
“The Women’s HIL is that platform. It creates opportunities, develops talent and builds the pipeline for future World Cup & Olympic stars. We humbly request your support for Women’s HIL. Let’s ensure the girls coming through today have a league to dream of playing in tomorrow.”
Published on Aug 28, 2026
