WSH players get nod for HI Nationals

The second edition of Hockey India’s national championship for men will be held here from September 23 to October 2 with top players from the across the country set to appear for their respective sides.

A total of 36 teams, including new entrants Border Security Force, will fight it out for supremacy in the 10-day meet that will be held at the hockey stadium and MEG campus.
The most interesting part of the Nationals will be the participation of players from the World Series Hockey,  considered a ‘rebel’ meet by HI.

However, HI has decided to allow the players to compete for their respective sides, which was confirmed by Hockey Karnataka secretary AB Subbaiah.

“Yes, WSH players can participate in the National Championships. HI has decided not to ban them. Those players are regulars in other domestic tournaments and they are naturally part of Nationals as well,” he said.

Thirty-six teams have been pitted into eight groups with the winners advancing to the knockout quarterfinals stage.

Petroleum giants IOCL, BPCL and ONGC will be absent for the second successive edition.

Plans are also afoot to stage the knockout matches under lights at the hockey stadium, Subbaiah said.