Nehru Society to organize an European tour

Best players selected during the recent Champions Colleges Nehru Cup are likely to reap another bonanza.

The organizers, Delhi based Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament society, announced on Wednesday that they will endeavour to organize an European tour for about 25 best players identified during the flagship Champions Colleges tournament held recently in Jalandhar.

Announcing this, Arun Yadav, President of the Society, who is also Minister in the Union Government, expressed satisfaction as to the extent of talent available in the country.

He was speaking in a dinner party hosted by him to the Society members to mark the successful completion of all five tournaments of the season. The Society kept up the tradition of going for get-together at the end of each season.

“Youngsters in the country need patronage, sports is a tool to transform them. We in the Society have been in touch with hockey administrators and educational institution as to how to improve our national game. There is a CSR Responsibility with every major public sector and we will see how best this concept can be of help to improve the sport of hockey”, he said.

He also expressed a desire to meet the Sports Minister to further the cause of hockey.

In his welcome address, Kukoowalia, Org Secretary of all these tournaments, expressed happiness on the successful conduct of the events.

“For the first time, we gave playing kits to all the participants of the Champion Colleges Cup. It was well-received by the players, and appreciated”.

“A motor-cycle was presented to Player of the Tournament, another first”, he said amidst applause from the gathering.

Prof. Beena Shah, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities, who was the chief guest during the final leg of the Cup, was all praise for the manner with which the event was held, and the lavish way some sponsors like Rakshak came forward to present kits and the Motor Cycle.

“It is not sufficient to honour the players alone in such competitions. The institutions that support the game also need to be encouraged. We in the AIU decide to make grant to the tune of Rs.1 lac, 50,000 and 25,000 to each to gold, silver and bronze winning teams”, she announced.

“Once the College or University receives this grant, they will use the monies for the hockey infrastructure development. The spin off benefit will be the authorities in those institutions will take more interest in hockey, and the news will spread to other Colleges and Universities as well”, the Prof said.

Padmabhusan Jagdev Singh, recounted highlights of his long association with the sports of hockey, during the function.

Triple Olympian Harbinder Singh, Dr. Sudarshan Pathak, Jt. Secretary, Hockey India and Saini, Principal, Delhi Pubic School (RK Puram) were among those present.