CHANDIGARH, OCT 13 : Having successfully conducting a number of tournaments, including recently concluded Administrator’s Cup All-India Football Tournament, the Chandigarh Sports Department today announced to organise the inaugural Administrator’s Challenge Cup Hockey Tournament for boys Under-17 at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here from October 16 to 22.
Addressing a press conference at the Sector 42 Sports Complex Chandigarh Sports Director Inderjit Singh Sandhu said that that matches would be played on league-cum-knockout basis under the rules and regulations of the Indian Hockey Confederation. It will be a cash prize tournament which carries a cheque of Rs 50,000 for winners and Rs 25,000 for runners-up.
"The tournament will also serve as a spotting meet for the benefit of the Chandigarh Hockey Academy being run by the Chandigarh Administration. If any outstanding player is noticed, he may be included in the CF Academy, if any vacancy exists," said Sandhu, who is also Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh.
While elaborating the medical arrangements made by the organising committee, the Sports Director warned that any player found medically overage would not be allowed to compete and sit on the bench strength. There will be no substitute against the player declared overage by the medical board.
"Besides the cash prizes, the Chandigarh Administration will provide free board and lodging, transportation and to and fro fare from the place of their journey to all outstation teams. The total budget is approximately Rs 8-9 lakh.
The following teams have been divided into different age groups.
Pool A: Surjit Academy Jalandhar, Hockey Academy Gurgaon, Sukhchain Hockey Academy Faridkot, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy Amritsar.
Pool B: Chandigarh Hockey Academy, Hyderbad Hockey Academy, Cheema Hockey Academy Batala, Kurukshetra SAI Academy.
Pool C: PNB Hockey Academy Delhi, Chandigarh Sports Deptt Coaching Centre, Punjab and Sind Bank Academy Jalandhar, Mehta Gurukul Hockey Academy Doraha.
Pool D: Rail Coach Factory Kurukshetra, Hockey Academy Lucknow and Amritsar XI.