MUMBAI: Hockey India, the governing body of the sport in India, has roped in politicians and cricket administrators Rajeev Shukla and Arun Jaitley on board as members of Hockey India League, the club based league that will kick-off in January next year.

Apart from Shukla and Jaitley, Television personality and India TV Editor in Chief Rajat Sharma has also joined the board.

While Jaitley is vice-president of BCCI from North Zone, Shukla is the chairman of cash-rich Indian Premier League.

Hockey India secretary-general and HIL chairman Narinder Batra said the appointments would help HIL. "We are sure that the Hockey India League will gain from Mr. Shukla`s knowledge as chairman of the Indian Premier League Governing Council and in public life, Mr. Jaitley`s vast experience as lawyer and sports administrator and Mr. Rajat Sharma`s experience as a media personality," Batra said.

HI has already got Sahara India Pariwar on board as the Lucknow franchise owner.

The HIL, which will rival World Series Hockey, will have six city-based teams selected from a pool of 12 cities that have infrastructure and facilities to host a match.