IT company boost for Indian hockey

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

Information Technology company U&I Scotty Ltd has chosen to strike a different note in a bid to enable Indian hockey regain lost glory in the new millennium, at a time when the country is in the grip of a cricket frenzy.

What may be termed as a first in the country, the Bangalore-based 100 per cent software export-oriented unit company decided to promote the national game in a big way, by sponsoring the All-India Sri Raghavendra Itigi Memorial hockey championship annually, beginning this month.

Besides holding the 10-day tournament every year around this time, the company launched an exclusive vertical portal: www.go4hockey.com to provide updates on the game, news, views and scores, with rich archives for online hockey buffs to boot.

U&I Scotty managing director G R Itigi told the rediff.com in Bangalore that the national tournament, being organised in memory of his father, the late Raghavendra Itigi, would carry a prize money of Rs 1 million, with the winner taking away Rs 200,000 and the runner-up Rs 100,000.

To encourage only national teams and renowned players to participate in the tournament, each team will get Rs 50,000 for appearance and the four teams that make it to the semi-finals will get an additional Rs 50,000 each.

"We've also roped in a few more sponsors to give away prizes to the best player of the tournament, who will get a computer, and the scorer of the best goal," Itigi stated.

To be held during the first half of April every year on astro-turf, the tournament has been approved by the Indian Hockey Federation, and will be jointly organised by the Karnataka Hockey Federation. Ten national teams will participate this year.

"Once the new hockey cup gains momentum and popularity, we plan to rope in more teams, including international ones. We are seeking a permanent and prominent slot for the tournament in the IHF's calendar of events. Our sole aim is to see hockey take pride of place on the Indian sport scene," Itigi affirmed.

Olympian Dhanraj Pillay, who is employed with Mahindra and Mahindra, has asked his employers to grant him permission to play in the tournament for any team. "I am all for hockey and I want to see this tournament become a big success," he added.

The 10-participating teams are Indian Airlines, Delhi; Punjab & Sind Bank, Jalandhar; BPCL, Bombay; Karnataka XI, Bangalore; CRPF, Delhi; Punjab Police, Jalandhar; Air-India, Bombay; Indian Juniors, Delhi; Tamil Nadu, Madras, and Army XI, Delhi.

Two top teams from each pool will play the semi-finals. The 18-member Bharat Petroleum team, which has five Olympians and nine internationals in their ranks, is the favourite for the title.