Preparations in full swing for hockey tourney

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 27

Preparations for the 14th India Junior Men National Hockey Championship are in full swing. The championship will start on September 6.

The best players will get selected for the Indian Hockey Team. As many as 30 teams from all over the state are taking part. The players will be staying at Lovely Professional University. In case extra space will be required, the players will be accommodated at Khalsa College and Sports College.

Surjit Hockey Committee members said none of the teams had been denied participation and teams from almost every state was participating in the tournament. This is for the first time that Hockey India is organising the championship.

Cleaning work and welding at parts of the stadium has already been started.

Selection trials were held recently in which 150 players took part and 40 were selected for the camp that started today. During the camp, best 18 players will get selected for the Punjab team. Several Olympians will also grace the occasion with their presence during the championship.

Sub-junior trials on Aug 29

Hockey India will organise the 14th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Hockey Championship in Chandigarh from September 23 to October 3. The trials for the selection of the Punjab sub-junior men’s hockey team will be held on August 29 at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar.

Hockey Punjab president Nitin Kohli and general secretary Amrik Singh Powar said players born after January 1, 2008, can participate in these trials. They should bring their original Aadhaar cards. In case of absence of original Aadhaar card, the player will not be allowed to participate in the selection trials, the officials said.