The hockey in Bengal is finally set to make a big take-off. For the first time in its journey since 1908, Bengal is going to have a stadium with international standards exclusively for the development of hockey. The stadium that will be built within the premises of Salt Lake Stadium, outside the football ground, is being constructed by the state sports ministry. 

It is believed that the stadium will have an artificial turf of international standard, a gallery with an accommodation of five thousand spectators, floodlights, and modern changing rooms. The construction work that has been reportedly promised to complete by November this year, might be delayed for one more month and Hockey Bengal is expecting the completion of the stadium by January 2024. 

Hockey Bengal has started planning to propose Hockey India to allow launching a team from Bengal in the Hockey India League (HIL) which is going to be revived by Hockey India in 2024 after seven years. 

The franchise league which kicked off in 2013 was last organized in 2017. Hockey Bengal's general secretary Istiyak Ali, when asked about their plans, explained, "Shahrukh Khan had already expressed a desire to build up a hockey team for the HIL when it started in 2013. The CESC team, owned by Sanjeev Goenka already takes part in Kolkata's first division league over the years. So, he might be interested in fielding a team for the HIL as he is involved in football with Mohun Bagan and in IPL with Lucknow Super Giants. But nothing would have been possible without the proper infrastructure. Now it is coming up. So, we can make the approach to the Bollywood king as well as Kolkata's corporate giant through Hockey India to field a franchise team in the HIL from Bengal for the first time next year. I am personally optimistic that our initiative will click." 

Considering plans, the state sports ministry and Hockey Bengal will organize an international tournament next year to inaugurate the newly built stadium. 

However, in a bid to produce quality players from the state, Hockey Bengal has already started grassroute training programs in 16 districts. Istyak added, "We are providing gear and balls for the young players in all the districts. Our men's team has qualified for the National Games this season and our women's team has qualified to take part in women's nationals also. It will take time, but we need to produce quality players from the grassroute to bring Bengal hockey's glory back."

As its reflection, Hockey Bengal is also in the process of building up an academy in Howrah (Dumurjola) with an artificial turf in association with state government where potential players will be trained throughout the year.