Senior national hockey championship in Bhopal June 10-19

NEW DELHI: The senior national hockey championship will be held at Bhopal from June 10 to 19.

This is the first senior national championship organised by Hockey India (HI) since it was formed in 2009.

In all, 32 teams have confirmed participation in the tournament that will be played on a league-cum-knockout format.

“The matches will be played on four artificial pitches at Aishbagh Stadium, Mayur Park and Sports Authority of India (SAI) turfs. Floodlights will be used at both Aishbagh stadium and SAI centre,” said HI in a statement.

Probables for the coaching camps for the national team for various international competitions in 2011 and 2012 will be selected after the tournament.

The men’s team will compete in the Asian Champions Trophy at Ordos, China in early September followed by a Test series and a four-nation tournament in Australia in October.

India will then play in the men’s Champions Trophy in Delhi in December and also host the 1st Olympic qualifier Feb 15-26.