Bhopal: The first Junior Boys Academy National Hockey Championship-2021 is being organised under the joint aegis of Hockey India and Sports and Youth Welfare Department from 18th to 27th October at Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium. The championship matches will be played at the new astro turf hockey ground of Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium. Teams from 28 top hockey academies of the country are participating in this championship. The championship will be inaugurated at Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium at 11 am on Monday where Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Bhupendra Singh will be chief guest.
On the initiative of Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia, Hockey India has entrusted the responsibility of the championship to the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Madhya Pradesh. Sports Department is organising this championship for the first time in association with Hockey India. Earlier the Sports Department had successfully hosted the Sub Junior Academy National Hockey Championship. It will prove to be a great platform for junior hockey players.
On Sunday, a meeting of the team manager and officials regarding the organisation of the championship was held at Major Dhyanchand Hall of Tatya Tope Stadium. Director Sports Shri Ravi Kumar Gupta welcomed all the visiting teams. He informed that the Sports Department has successfully organised the Sub Junior Hockey Academy National Championship recently. The department has made all the preparations for this championship. He apprised that according to the intention of Sports Minister Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia, an amount of Rs. 20 thousand is being provided to each team as an incentive. In view of the Corona period, it is necessary to ensure that all protocols are followed. He extended best wishes to all the team coaches and managers for the championship. Earlier, Director Sports Shri Ravi Kumar Gupta took stock of the preparations for the championship.
There will be a battle of superiority between 28 teams
The championship will be played on the basis of league matches. 6 matches will be played daily. The 28 teams participating in the championship are divided into eight pools. Three teams each have been placed in the first four pools. Four teams each have been placed in the next four pools. The top team from their pool will advance to the quarter-finals. A total of 44 matches will be played in the championship including 36 league matches. The final and third place match of the championship will be played on 27 October.
Future stars to be chosen
Hockey India selectors will also be present during the championship. The future stars of Indian hockey will be chosen from this championship. These include Olympian Shri Syed Ali and Asian medalist Shri Rajneesh Mishra. The selectors told that for the first time Hockey India has organised a tournament among the academies. This gives players a platform. Our aim is to give chance to more and more players of the country.
