FIH OKAYS Punjab Gold Cup 4-Nation Hockey

Chandigarh, Sept 20 (UNI) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has given green signal to the Punjab Sports Department to host the Punjab Gold Cup Men Four-Nation Invitational Double Leg Hockey Tournament from February 5 to 14 next year, Punjab Sports Director Pargat Singh, FIH General Manager Christophe Troendle has conveyed the sanction to ad hoc committee of the Indian Hockey Confederation. Besides hosts India, Pakistan, Holland and German teams would compete in the double leg to be played at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium in Chandigarh and the second leg, classification match and final will be played at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.

The Punjab Sports Department will provide to and fro air fare for 22 members, including one umpire of each team, free board and lodging and local transport.

Pargat Singh said that the double-leg series would be professionally managed. Expert agencies will be associated for the smooth and professional conduct of the tournament. Expert agencies would be associated and the matches would be telecast live.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Sports Department has also requested the International Hockey Federation through Mrs Amrit Bose of Indian Hockey Confederation, for sanction to host an invitational Four-National Women Hockey Tournament in the last week of April, next year.

Besides hosts India, three national teams from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Australia, Holland and Germany will compete in the double-leg tournament in Jalandhar.

UNI XC-VKJ JS1026