Nagpur News.
Vidarbha Hockey Association, under the aegis of Hockey India, is ogranising 1st All India VHA-Nagpur Gold Cup Men’s Hockey Tournament from April 20 to 26. The tournament will be played at the lush green outfield of Vidarbha Hockey Association off Amravati Road.
The tournament will be inaugurated by G B Indurkar, Additional Commissioner, Sales Tax, Nagpur Zone on April 20 at 7.30 am. DC Garg, CMD, Western Coalfields Limited, Nagpur will be the guest of honour.
VHA President BC Bhartia, Secretary, Vinod Gawai, Treasurer Ghanshyam Purohit, Joint Secretary Bhaskar Naidu and all executive members of VHA will remain present.
“The tournament, which will be played on knock-out basis, carries a total prize money of Rs 1.75 lakh with the winners getting Rs 1,00,000 and the runners-up pocketing Rs 50,000. The team finishing third will take home Rs 25,000.
The top three teams will also get glittering rolling trophies,” said Vinod Gawai, Secretary, Vidarbha Hockey Association while addressing a press conference at the ground, off Amravati Road.
“Top hockey teams from all parts of the country namely Signals from Jalandhar, Chennai XI, BEG from Pune, Northern Railways from Lucknow, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (Bhopal), Pomposh from Rourkela, South Central Railway from Secundrabad, Divakar Hockey Academy from Katni (MP), Sports Authority of India from Sundergarh (Orissa) Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), from Bhilai, DHA, Akola, DHA, Jalgaon, DHA, Gondia, DHA Aurangabad, DHA Chandrapur are likely to take part in the tournament. VHA Senior Division Champions, South East Central Railway, runners-up Dhyanchand Academy, DSA Central Railway and Eagle Sporting will also be taking part in this prestigious tournament,” informed VHA President BC Bhartia.
Eighteen members will be allowed per team. All the outstation teams will be accommodated at MLA Hostel.
Outstation teams, barring those from Railway Department, will also get railway concessions issued by Hockey India.
“The tournament will be played as per FIH Rules and organising committee’s decision will be final and binding to all teams. Hockey India will be appointing officials for this prestigious tournament Avinash Verma from Air India has been appointed as the Tournament Director by Hockey India. Virendra Singh will be the Umpires’ Manager. National umpires (local as well as those appointed by Hockey India would officiate in the tourament,” added Gawai.
The tournament will be played on knock-out basis and as per old FIH rules (70-minute match). On the opening day four matches would be played. Two in the morning session and two in the evening.
The quarter-finals will be played on April 23 and 24 while the semi-finals will be played on April 25.
On April 26, hard-line final would be played at 3 pm followed by grand final at 4.30 pm.
Various committees, under the leadership of President Bhartia and Secretary Vinod Gawai, have been formed for smooth conduct of the tournament.
