Hockey India Senior Men National Championship Begins in Chennai
The 14th edition of the Hockey India Senior Men National Championship is starting on Monday at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai. This exciting tournament will feature 31 teams divided into eight pools, competing until November 16th.
Tournament Structure
During the league stage, each team will play against every other team in their pool. The top team from each pool will advance to the quarter-finals on November 13, followed by the semi-finals on November 15, and the Final and 3rd/4th place play-off on November 16.
Pool Details
| Pool | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Hockey Punjab, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu Hockey, Chhattisgarh Hockey |
| B | Hockey Haryana, Telangana Hockey, Hockey Himachal, Hockey Mizoram |
| C | Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Andaman & Nicobar |
| D | Hockey Karnataka, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Uttarakhand, Tripura Hockey |
| E | Hockey Association of Odisha, Le Puducherry Hockey, Hockey Rajasthan, Hockey Arunachal |
| F | Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Delhi Hockey, Kerala Hockey, Hockey Jammu and Kashmir |
| G | Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Maharashtra, Goans Hockey, Hockey Gujarat |
| H | Manipur Hockey, Hockey Bengal, Hockey Bihar, Assam Hockey |
Opening Matches
The tournament will open with exciting matches, including Uttar Pradesh Hockey vs. Kerala Hockey and Hockey Karnataka vs. Hockey Uttarakhand.
Statements from Officials
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the championship will showcase the best talent from across the country. He said, “We are delighted to host the 14th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship in Chennai, a city with a rich hockey legacy.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, “This championship promises to deliver high-quality hockey and intense competition. We have seen tremendous growth in participation, and it’s heartening to see the enthusiasm from all corners of the country.”
Doubts Revealed
Hockey India -: Hockey India is the organization that manages and promotes the sport of field hockey in India. They organize tournaments and help develop players.
Senior Men National Championship -: This is a big hockey tournament in India where teams from different parts of the country compete. It’s for senior male players, meaning adult men.
Chennai -: Chennai is a large city in the southern part of India. It’s known for its culture, beaches, and as a hub for sports events.
Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium -: This is a stadium in Chennai where hockey matches are played. It’s named after a former mayor of the city.
Pools -: In sports tournaments, ‘pools’ are groups of teams that play against each other. The best teams from each pool move on to the next round.
Quarter-finals -: This is a stage in a tournament where eight teams compete. The winners move on to the semi-finals.
Semi-finals -: This is the round before the final match in a tournament. Four teams compete, and the winners go to the finals.
Finals -: The finals are the last match of the tournament. The winner of this match becomes the champion.
Dilip Tirkey -: Dilip Tirkey is the President of Hockey India. He is a former Indian hockey player and is known for his contributions to the sport.
Bhola Nath Singh -: Bhola Nath Singh is the Secretary General of Hockey India. He helps manage the organization and its activities.
