Sponsors put Senior National Hockey Tournament back on track

New Delhi, Oct 12 (UNI) With sponsors pitching in with their pledge to support the event for the next five years, Senior National Hockey Championship is back on track with the 62nd edition of the event kicking off on October 20.

With Jalandhar hosting the super league phase from October 28, Punjab hosts the event after a gap of 25 years.

Indian Hockey Federation President KPS Gill today announced that Dainik Bhaskar and Tracer Shoes had come up with financial help and heaved a sigh of relief after ensuring that money doesn't remain a problem for the next five years.

''We could not host it regularly for want of money and it's quite a costly proposition. But with the sponsors coming forward, things are better now,'' Mr Gill told reporters here today.

When his attention was drawn to the fact that the cricket board was raking in money with aggressive marketing, the IHF chief said, ''We are also trying our best and sponsors are gradually coming forward.'' He also announced that three players, including goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza, would be released from the Rourkela camp.

Hyderabad had hosted the previous edition of the event, while Ludhiana will host the final phase of the event in 2007, which will follow an inter-zonal format.

Kukoo Walia has been named the tournament director for this year's event, while Charanjeet Singh Raheja will be the IHF observer.

Mr Gill also announced that selectors would keep an eye on the senior nationals and outstanding performers might get a call up in the national side.

A host of former Olympians would assist the selectors in picking talented player, he added.

In the 62nd Senior Nationals, 37 affiliated state units and 14 associate teams would vie for top honours and 12 teams would make it to the super league phase, IHF secretary K Jothikumaran said.

The qualifier featuring the associate teams will be played here from October 20-24, while Ludhiana hosts the super league from October 28-31. Both the semifinals will be played on November 2 and the final is slated for the next day.

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