Revival of Senior Men’s National Hockey Championship in India after four years: Hockey News
After a period of four years, Hockey India (HI) has finally taken a step to renew the Senior Men’s National Hockey Championship in Bhopal, India starting from June 10-19.
Earlier, this championship used to always be hosted by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) with the last edition conducted in Delhi and Punjab in the year 2006.
HI recently informed about the confirmation of 32, out of total 36 bodies, affiliated with the HI, which will participate with their teams in the championship. The event is planned to be held in a league-c*m-knockout format.
The 32 teams have been divided into eight pools, each comprising of four teams that will play matches on synthetic turfs that are laid at Aishbagh Stadium, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre and Mayur Park in Bhopal.
Among these, Mayur Park recently laid a new turf at its MP Hockey Academy that will be put to use for the first time in this championship. Moreover, from quarter-final onwards, flood-lights will also be used during the championship matches.
The tournament's director appointed for this national event is Shakeel Qureshi, whereas India’s most profound arbitrators will be present at the event to do the umpiring, including the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) badge holders and the FIH World
Panel too.
The inaugural day will comprise of the first ten matches of the championship including the first to be played between Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.
The participating teams also include the teams representing institutes like Air India, Railways and Services. Moreover, these affiliated bodies also consist of a mutual team comprising of players from different universities that has been named as Combined
Universities.
Meanwhile, a total of 21 individuals from Manipur reached Bhopal for their participation in the championship. These included the 18 players of the team and three officials. The Chief Coach of Manipur’s national hockey team is a former World Cup player, MP.
L. Tiken Singh. Moreover, a former captain and national player, Ksh Ibopishak is the team’s manager for the event.
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