Pune to host 1st Hockey Jr Nationals from December 10

PUNE: Pune will host Hockey India’s (HI) first Junior National championship at the Shiv Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex in Balewadi from December 10 to 21.

The tournament, to be organised under the aegis of Maharashtra Hockey and HI, will witness teams from 26 states and 520 players competing for top honours.

Besides 75 officials, 100 volunteers would also be involved to make the tournament a success.

“It is a huge responsibility as it involves the future faces of Indian hockey. It is always nice to be associated with the sport and I am glad that my experience was being utilised,” said Mir Ranjan Negi, an executive committee member of Maharashtra Hockey.

The organising secretary of the event, Manoj Bhore, who is also joint secretary of Hockey India and treasurer of Maharashtra Hockey, said, “I thank Hockey India for allotting the tournament to Sports City, Pune.

“The Junior National will provide the right platform for Hockey India to have a look at the talent that exists in the country.”

The president of Maharashtra Hockey, Rekha Bhide added, “Pune has been a front-runner in taking initiatives in hosting events. As president of Maharashtra Hockey I will ensure that there will be no stone left upturned in making this championship an event to remember.”