Pune: 30 States Set To Fight For National Honours At 11th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship Pimpri Chinchwad 2021

Pune, 1st December 2021: Post India’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic bronze medal winning performance the twin-township of Pimpri-Chinchwad, situated in Pune, is set to witness top action in the 11th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship Pimpri Chinchwad 2021 set to begin on 11th December 2021.

Thirty registered state member units of Hockey India will lock horns for championship honours at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri.

The 10-day event, conducted by Hockey Maharashtra and co-hosted by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and the Pimpri Chinchwad Police, will conclude with the final slated for 21st December.

This time around the Nationals will follow a new format as decided by the National body wherein only State units will be seen in action. Earlier, institution units were also part of the event which was played as one combined championship and later the format was changed to a two-tier – Division A and Division-B format.

Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner Krishna Prakash (IPS), who is the Chairman of the Organising Committee and Associate Vice President Hockey Maharashtra, said “It’s an honour for me to take on the responsibility to do my bit for a sport that has brought a smile to the millions for its exploits over the years. Being a sportsperson, the position that Hockey Maharashtra entrusted upon me was grabbed with open hands to be associated with a sport that has a golden history in India. On behalf of Hockey Maharashtra, I thank the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation for the prompt actioned call to the occasion and likewise my entire police force for always standing by me. A special mention to all our affiliate partners who have agreed to lend their support in making this event a spectacle. Our aim is to make this tournament one of the finest the city has witnessed. I appeal to the citizens to come in numbers to action from the best across India unfold.”

Meanwhile, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on its part has spruced up the hockey stadium in a bid to provide the best for the best descending for the competition.

PCMC Commissioner Rajesh Patil (IAS), who is the Patron Organising Committee, elaborated, “It’s a privilege to host the blue-ribbon tournament, which over the years has been the proving ground for many stars who have gone on to represent and do India proud at various levels. On PCMC’s part, we have left no stone unturned in making the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium a facility that matches with the best in India. When PCMC was approached to partner by hosting the Championship we decided to go ahead with the objective of showcasing our facilities and encouraging the sport. The stadium has undergone a major overhaul which include a serene FIH approved blue field, improvised infrastructure adhering to international norms. We undertook the task with an aim of leaving a legacy that can further be developed into world class facilities over the years.”

For Hockey Maharashtra this will be the 10th time that they will be hosting any National championship. Among the many hosted so far the 2021 edition of the Senior Men’s National Championship will be the third ever. Earlier, Pune hosted the 3rd and 5th editions back in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Manish Anand, Vice President Hockey Maharashtra, said, “Hockey Maharashtra has always been ready to host National-level competitions. The interest from hockey-loving people has been profound which gives us the motivation and encouragement to host the best.”

The Championship will be played on a league cum knock out basis, with the 30 participating teams divided into 8 groups of 4 teams each, of which 2 groups – Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ – comprise of 3 teams each.

The group toppers will advance to the knockout round which incidentally is the quarterfinals. The 10-day Championship will witness over 50 matches.

11th Senior Men Nationals, Groups & Schedule

Manoj Bhore, Honorary Secretary and Organising Secretary, Hockey Maharashtra explained, “The Nationals will be exciting this time around owing to the new format Hockey India has adopted. For sure, competition will be on even keel owing to only states participating. Hockey Maharashtra is proud to have hosted 10 National tournaments over the last decade which is an achievement that the association is proud of. In fact, the last time that PCMC hosted Senior National matches was back in 2013 when two grounds – the other being Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi – hosted the Nationals.”

The other partners of the tournament include ABTP – Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance (Sports Medicine Partners), Dr D.Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune (Medical Partner), Unique Delta Force Security Pvt. Limited (Security Partner), BVG (Housekeeping Partner).

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