BANGALORE: U & I Scotty Computers Ltd managing director G.R. Itigi is a man with a mission – helping Indian hockey regain its lost glory. He may have made a tough decision. But Mr Itigi is confident of achieving the goal. That is the key behind his company sponsoring the all-India Sri Rahavendra Itigi Memorial Championship which began in city on April 6. It is not just to gain any mileage out of the tournament that has attracted country’s top ten teams.
The main purpose behind the 11-day event which offers Rs 2 lakh for the winners that has been given a grade I status is to “shake them and wake them” as Mr Itigi himself puts it. Going by the professionalism the sponsors have shown so far, every one present in the stadium seems to acknowledge Mr Itigi’s sincerity. Such is his commitment to the game.
With an appearance money of Rs 50,000 for every team and free accommodation for the teams that can’t afford is some something unheard of in the game of hockey. India’s super star Dhanraj Pillay adds, “It is tournaments like these that give a big boost to the game. I was so keen to play that I requested my employers to grant me permission to play for the Indian Airlines.”
Itigi’s father in whose memory this tournament is being held was a hockey player at school level. This is the spark that has ignited in his son, the deep passion for the game. Mr Itigi continues, “hockey is our national game. Everyone in India plays hockey just as everyone in Brazil plays soccer. Given the right kind of encouragement, I want to go international.” Keeping this in mind, U & I has already roped in some foreign sponsors as partners for this tournament.
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Mr Itigi has shown the way and it is for I and You to join hands and help him achieve his goal.
Courtesy: Time of India