Army XI to defend title, 12 teams in fray

Chennai, Dec 16 (UNI) Madras Cricket Club (MCC) which introduced the national sport hockey to Chennai as far back as in 1894, will conduct the 83rd MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament under floodlights for the first time at the astro turf stadium here from tomorrow to December 25.

Addressing a press conference here, organising Secretary Rajiv Reddy and Tournament Director, former Olympian Muneer Sait said 12 teams, defending champions Army XI, IHF Development, BPCL, Mumbai XI, Indian Oil Corporation(IOC), Tamil Nadu XI, Army Green- Dhampur, Namdhari XI, Indian Railways, Air India, Indian Airlines and Karnataka XI, would be vying for honours on league cum knock- out basis.

Sponsored by the Murugappa Group, the winner will presented a purse of Rs 1,30,000 and the runner up Rs 80,000. And apart from the regular awards for best forward, best goal-keeper and the most promising player, MCC will introduce the best player of the tournament this year. The award will be named in memory of a former secretary of MCC A L Laxmanan.

UNI VV DH VV1608