Money matters: Rs1.5L grant to each state unit for hockey national meet boosts participation

There was a time when Hockey India struggled to push teams for participating in the nationals. Today, as many as 28 teams are participating in the sub-junior nationals, which are underway in the UT. It is not only about this particular event, but across the pan-India annual calendar, a number of teams remain eager to participate in the event. Reason: Hockey India issues a minimum grant of Rs 1.5 lakh to each participating team.

As per the criteria, a state association has to play a minimum of four national events to get a Rs 6 lakh grant. If a state unit participated in all six nationals (three each for boys and girls), it gets a grant of Rs 9 lakh.

During a national event, the state unit spends this grant to buy travel tickets and food for the players. The other concerns, including boarding, lodging, food and travel, at the tournament venue are taken care of by the host state unit.

“Things have changed. The state association gets a full grant and the participation of teams has increased in the national hockey events. During their stay at the tournament venue, everything is taken care of by the host unit, which gives participating units some relief,” said Anil Vohra, general secretary, Hockey Chandigarh, the host of the 14th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship at the Sector 42 Sports Complex.

“An amount of Rs 1.5 lakh per national is enough for tickets. Sometimes, the state units save a certain amount from this grant and purchase kits for their teams. Sponsors also help a lot, but this is a big relief from Hockey India,” Vohra added. A coach seeking anonymity added, “See, Rs 1.5 lakh grant for participation in a national event is a decent amount. For instance, the national event is being held in Chandigarh and the nearby states participating here will surely have some savings from this grant. This can be used by the state association for purchasing a new kit or to give away some incentives."

The monetary motivation to the state units also helps players to represent their respective states and take benefits from their state government.

"Participation in any national event is important to promote a sport. Imagine only 10 teams turning up for a national event instead of 28. What impression will this leave? This scheme has surely made associations send their teams and players are definitely benefited by getting a platform to perform and also derive benefits of playing from their states," said Rajbir, a former national level player.