Inter-College Men’s Hockey Tourney kicks off in Chamba

A three-day Inter-College Men’s Hockey Tournament being hosted by Government Post Graduate College, Chamba, was inaugurated at the iconic Chamba Chaugan on Wednesday.

This event is particularly notable as college is hosting the tournament after a gap of nearly five decades —it last hosted the championship in 1975.

Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayar was the chief guest at the tournament, which is affiliated with Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla.

Government College, Chamba, Principal Dr Madan Lal Guleria warmly welcomed the chief guest, special guests and other dignitaries, which included supervisors, referees, coaches, officials, and participants from across the state.

Dr Guleria said the tournament promised to be a memorable chapter in the history of sports at Government College, Chamba, inspiring future generations to embrace the spirit of national game.

Sachin Mehra, Head of Department, Physical Education, said 10 teams from colleges affiliated with HPU and Sardar Patel University (SPU), Mandi, were competing for the championship.

In his keynote address, Nayar underscored the importance of sports in shaping the holistic development of students. “Tournaments like these are not just about competition, they are platforms for students to cultivate discipline, teamwork, and resilience,” he said.

He emphasised the dual role of sports in enhancing physical fitness and fostering mental wellbeing.

Expressing pride over the college reviving the tradition of hosting the tournament, Nayar extended his congratulations to the principal, faculty and the organising team.

He urged participants to compete with integrity, and to cherish the camaraderie that such events fostered.

Nayar was later presented with a commemorative memento as a token of appreciation for his presence and encouragement. He officially declared the tournament open, marking the beginning of three days of spirited competition.

The tournament’s inaugural match saw an intense battle between Government College, Kullu, and Government College, Sunni.

Both teams displayed exceptional skills and determination. After a goalless regulation time, the match was decided through a penalty shootout.

The Kullu college emerged victorious, defeating the Sunni team by a narrow margin of 4-3.

In the second match, Maharaja Lakshman Sen Memorial College, Sunder Nagar, defeated Government College, Daulatpur Chowk.