Punjab Plans to Host $100,000-$150,000 International Hockey Tournament

Is it the first step towards reviving Hockey?

After spending over Rs.7 billions in building a new stadium and renovating the existing ones to a world class status, the Punjab Govt. is now planning to hold a four to six nations international hockey tournament.

With a plan to bring top class hockey playing nations like Pakistan, Germany, Australia, Netherland and England for the cash rich tournament, the state is confident of finding a sponsor for the double leg tournament.

The tournament to be held either before or in September with prize money ranging between $ 100,000 to $150,000 will take place at the five international class stadia which are presently under renovation. The stadiums are fitted with high quality Astroturf, floodlights and host of facilities for the public and for the media as well.

Spearheaded by the young and dynamic Deputy CM of the State Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Punjab Govt. is promoting sports in a big way specially, Boxing, Hockey, Wrestling and Kabaddi.

Rs 400 million have been spent on developing a new ultra modern hockey stadium in Mohali while the Bhatinda stadium is being renovated at a whooping amount of Rs 150 million. Stadiums at Jhalandar, Ludhiana and Amritsar are being renovated at a cost of Rs 90 million, Rs 70 million and Rs 56 million respectively. Apart from this, work on upgrading the Faridkot stadium is also on.

The stadia’s under renovation will be completed in the next two months while the new one at mohali will be completed by September. So if the tournament takes place before September the four renovated stadiums will host the tournament while Mohali can hold some match if the tournament is held in September.

With all the plans in place and on track, the state government is now only awaiting a mandate from Indian hockey’s governing body, Hockey India, to proceed with the event.