He was speaking at the inauguration of six-day National-Level Invitational Women’s Hockey tournament held in connection with the National Sports Day, at Chamundi Vihar Stadium in the city on Tuesday.
Observing that the government is working towards developing participation in hockey tournaments, the Minister said that a hockey tournament was recently organised in the Chief Minister’s name in Bangalore recently. He also announced Rs three lakh sponsorship for the on-going tournament.
Hockey turf
Apart from the Rs 2.5 crore released for the construction of hockey turf, Rs two crore will be released for laying a synthetic athletics track; Rs 15 crore will be released for overall development of sports facilities including the construction of swimming pool in the city, he said.
The Minister announced that ‘Ekalavya Award’ will be given to the eminent sports achievers on the occasion of National Sports Day celebrated to commemorate hockey legend Dhyanchand. Speaking on the occasion ‘Arjuna Awardee’ Ashok Kumar Singh Dhyanchand, who captained Indian Hockey team earlier, said that National Sports Day was named so in order to include all sports on the occasion and not only hockey.
More participants needed
He hoped that the tournament would include more number of participants from all over the country. He advised participants to indulge and increase participation in sports. Journalist Rajashekar Koti said that National Sports Day Committee has been conducting the tournament for last eight years despite the sport being forgotten by the people. He requested for more sponsorship to encourage youngsters to participate in the tournament.
Award for goal-scorers
TVS Company will give away a ‘TVS Scooty Pep’ for a player who scores maximum number of goals. Twelve teams including DYSS Mysore, STC Chennai, STC Madikeri are participating in the tournament.
Police Commissioner Sunil Agarwal, director, University of Mysore Physical Education Department Dr C Krishna, Mysore Hotel Owners’ Association president M Rajendra were present.
DH News Service
Centre forward of SAI-Madikeri, Chaitra slammed six goals (3rd, 14th, 22nd, 38th, 40th and 49th minute) and helped her team score a big 10-0 win over the hapless Kovilpatti XI from Tamil Nadu in the inaugural Group A league fixture tie played at the Chamundi Vihar Hockey grounds on Tuesday.
Forward Trupti chipped in with three goals ( 14th, 36th, 43rd minute). The other goal was scored by M N Ponnamma (23rd minute).
In the other Group A fixture, Hassan scored a 5-0 win over Bellary. In Group B, Anantpur Hockey Academy beat KDOJ, Hubli 2-0, while STC, Chennai beat Ponnampet Sports Hostel by 2-0 margin.
