Punjab Gold Cup hockey a regular feature from next year

Chandigarh, Jan 25: Punjab Gold Cup Invitational hockey tournament, which will make its debut later this month, will be held on annual basis at various places of the state, Organising Committee Chairman Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Sunday.Announcing this, Badal said the first-ever tournament being organised by the Punjab Sports Department in the astroturf stadium in Sector 32 here from from January 31 to February nine, has a total budget of Rs 1.5 crore. Apart from hosts India, the event will be participated by Olympic champions Germany, European champions the Netherlands and world no seven New Zealand. The organising committee has made all arrangements for the participating teams, he said, adding the German Embassy had evinced keen interest in the tournament. He said the state government would help in transportation of people to watch the matches. Organising Secretary Pargat Singh said the tournament has no prize money, but it will offer India a golden opportunity to re-affirm their position in the elite group of top hockey playing nations. Organising committee is strictly following the norms of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for the smooth conduct of the tournament. The FIH has appointed Ramesh Appoo of Singapore as the Technical Director of the tournament while Muneer Sait will be the technical official. Appoo will be assisted by neutral umpire Kim Hong Lae (Korea), national umpires Blash Fabian (Germany), Bruning Michiel (the Netherlands), Tomlinson David (New Zealand) and Shaikh Javed (India). Hosts India, who arrived already here, will cross swords with New Zealand in the opening match of the event. Bureau Report