24 teams for All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey Tournament

Chandigarh, Sep 18 (UNI) Twenty four teams from all over the country will vie for honours in the 36th S N Vohra's All-India Gurmit Memorial Hockey A Grade Tournament to held here from September 23 to October 2.

Talking to newsmen today, organising secretary Yash Pal Vohra said defending champions Punjab and Sind Bank and runners-up Namdhari XI along with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation have been seeded straight into quarter-finals.

Former champions Punjab Police, Punjab National Bank, Oil and Natural Gas Commission and Central Railways will begin their campaign from the pre-quarter final stage.

The highlight of this year's edition is that the last match of the day will be played under lights. The organisers have also raised the prize money for the winners to Rs 60,000 from Rs 50,000.

Runners-up will receive a cheque of Rs 40,000 instead of last year's Rs 30,000.

The man of the match from quarter-final onwards will receive Rs 2,000 each. Last year it was Rs 1,000.

Special prizes will be awarded to the best goalkeeper, the best fullback, the best half back, the best forward. Dr B L Gupta Trophy will be awarded to the most well behaved team. New trophies have been instituted with sponsors Hutch's name inscribed on these.

Former Indian Hockey Federation chief coordinator Avtar Singh Kohli has been appointed as director of the tournament. Also present on the occasion was K S Sandhu, vice president Chandigarh Hockey Association.

Teams taking part in the tournament are: Punjab and Sind Bank, Namdhari XI, BPCL, IOC, Punjab Police, ONGC, Central Railways, Western Railways, Sikh Regiment Centre, Indian Air Force, Centre of Excellence from Patiala, Punjabi University, Ropar Hawks, Chandigarh Hockey Academy (CHA) and Chandigarh XI.

CHA president Chander Shekhar, Additional Director General of Police, Punjab, will inaugurate the tournament.

UNI XC DP PM MIR RAI1857