Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Hockey tourney begins

Hockey players in action during a match in Pulwama on Thursday.
Hockey players in action during a match in Pulwama on Thursday.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

PULWAMA, July 6: Joint Director Kashmir of Youth Services and Sports Department J&K Waseem Raja today declared open the first edition of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Hockey Tourney on his birth anniversary at Synthetic Hockey Turf here.
Director Youth Services and Sports Department J&K Subash C Chhibber while expressing happiness on the organization of the maiden Hockey Tournament on the recently commissioned Synthetic Hockey Turf of Pulwama has said that considering the importance and legacy associated with the game of Hockey, the Department of Youth Services and Sports is developing another high class synthetic Hockey Turf in Srinagar which is in the final phase of its completion.
Joint Director Kashmir while addressing an impressive gathering of young Hockey players from different districts of the Kashmir division on this occasion said that organizing a grand tournament on the name of a towering political leader and statesman like Dr S P Mukherjee is a good omen as this is the first full fledged Hockey Tourney starting on the recently constructed high class synthetic Hockey Turf at Pulwama.
“Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee worked relentlessly and wholeheartedly for the progress, unity, and well-being of his motherland. His contributions to nation-building and India’s freedom movement are unparalleled. This very well organized sports activity would act as a fuel in nurturing sports talent in Hockey and showcasing this very impressive playing facility to the sports lovers”, Raja added.
The tournament is being played on a league cum knock out basis. The inaugural match played between host Pulwama and Baramulla which was won by Baramulla with 7 goals to 1. Final match of the tourney is scheduled for August 5 at the same venue.
District Youth Services and Sports Officer Pulwama Jagdesh Raj, Principal Boys Higher Secondary School Pulwama, Zonal Physical Education Officers of the host district and other adjoining districts, senior officers of Youth Services and Sports Department and members of the civil society were also present on the colourful opening of the inter district Hockey tournament.