Sixth edition of Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey tourney from April 29
The opening ceremony will be held on April 29, with Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command as the chief guest. On the closing ceremony on May 6, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, will preside over the event.
A team of the Bangladesh Air Force is among the teams which reached Chandigarh to participate in the event. A total of 12 elite teams, including 11 from India and one from Bangladesh, including Chandigarh XI, Tata Naval Hockey Academy, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indian Railways, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Round Glass, Punjab & Sind Bank, Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Indian Air Force, Bangladesh Air Force, are participating.
The tournament aims to promote hockey and sporting excellence, reflecting Marshal Arjan Singh's legacy and the Indian Air Force's commitment to nurturing talented athletes, who bring laurels to their nation.
Interacting with media on Monday, Air Marshal S Sivakumar, Director General (administration), Air Headquarters, New Delhi, unveiled the trophy. Throwing light on the historical background of the same, he said the tournament was instituted in 2018 to honour the legendary Air Force officer Marshal Arjan Singh, a passionate hockey player and inspirational leader who embodied leadership both in war and sports.
On the occasion, Group Captain YS Panghal, organising Secretary of the tournament elaborated that this year's edition features 12 elite teams competing for the coveted title on a league-cum-knockout basis.
The winners will get ₹3,00,000, runners-up ₹2,00,000, man of the match ₹10,000 (each match), and player of the tournament ₹25,000.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Dal Lake is waiting: Kashmir first Khelo national water sports festival begins Thursday
The tranquil waters of Dal Lake are going to witness a major splash and bouts of amusement as Khelo India Water Games-2025 will begin from Thursday - a first in the Himalayan region. Dal Lake is waiting: Kashmir first Khelo national water sports festival begins Thursday More than 800 athletes and officials from 28 states and eight Union territories are converging in summer capital to participate in events like rowing, canoeing and kayaking. The water sports national festival also features demonstration events like water skiing, dragon boat and Shikara race. The three-day event, being organised by J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports and Sports Authority of India (SAI), will begin on Thursday. 'We warmly invite everyone to witness thrilling competitions, youthful energy, and the rise of future champions,' said Nuzhat Gul, secretary, J&K Sports Council. Officials said that lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday met the mascot of Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025. 'The event is conceived as a celebration of J&K's culture and ecology. The Mascot of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival is inspired by the Himalayan Kingfisher, which reflects adventure, energy and profound connection to nature,' an official said. The government said that the sporting event marks a proud moment for J&K, bringing national sports attention to Dal Lake and its athletes. 'The event will present a unique opportunity to showcase Kashmir's diverse charm on a national platform and transform into a grand celebration of local tourism, handicrafts, art and culture,' an official statement said. The lake presents an enchanting landscape as it is dotted by colourful Shikaras and majestic houseboats - called 'palaces on water'- while also being surrounded Mughal Gardens and overlooked by Zabarwan mountain range. An elaborate opening ceremony is set to feature a drone light show, traditional folk dances, celebrity performances and stalls showcasing local street cuisine, art, culture and Self-Help Group (SHG) products. The participants are as much enthused as the officials. 'This is happening for the first time in J&K. This gives a major boost to the youth here involved in sports. Our youth, which have been training for the past two years, will compete for the national level events. This is our good luck,' said Sayeema, a water sports coach. Last week, minister for youth services and sports, Satish Sharma and Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq released the logo, mascot, anthem, jingle and jerseys for the athletes and support staff, volunteers and officials of the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025. 'The athletes and people who would participate in the Khelo India Water Sports Festival would return as the brand ambassadors of J&K. The hosting of the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival will go a long way in promoting not just sports but also tourism in J&K,' Sharma said. The MLA Tanvir Sadiq said that the Khelo India Winter Sports Games have already crowned Gulmarg as India's winter sports capital. 'With the launch of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival on Dal Lake, we are set to redefine the region's sports landscape and establish it as a national water sports hub,' Sadiq said.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
I don't mind starting from scratch: Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw (PTI Photo) CHENNAI: Prithvi Shaw was Shubman Gill 's captain in the U-19 World Cup that India won in New Zealand in 2018. Seven years down the line, Gill is on the cusp of the Indian senior team's allformat captaincy while Shaw, once touted as a 'boy wonder' and the 'next big thing', is trying to make a comeback into the firstclass fold after losing his way. Question marks over fitness, form and discipline took a huge toll on the opener as he got dropped from the Mumbai Ranji squad last year and went unsold in the IPL-2025 auction. Now he is back in the domestic scene where it all began, this time turning out for Maharashtra. Shaw, who had scored a ton on his India Test debut, announced his comeback in familiar fashion with a well-paced century (111; 141b; 15x4, 1x6) against Chhattisgarh on Day Two of the Buchi Babu tournament here on Tuesday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I don't mind starting from scratch again because I've seen many ups and downs in my life. I've been up there and been down there. I've also come back up there. So, everything is possible. I'm confident of myself, my work ethic. And my family has been the biggest support in my tough times. Hopefully, I'll get back there soon,' said Shaw. During his knock, as he entered the nineties, the right-hander danced down the track to launch a stunning six. Shaw said he was going back to basics and taking each day as it comes. 'I don't want to change anything. I feel I just went back to basics, doing the things I used to do in my under-19 days, things which got me into the Indian team. I'm just doing all that stuff back again. 'I'm trying to be myself and trying not to be on social media or any of those kinds of distractions. It's kind of peaceful when I'm not using it,' he added. Shaw has started to get his belief back. 'I feel I have never lost. It's always about learning. Earlier, I was trying to think about the future and I don't think it worked for me. So now what I'm trying to do is go day by day. I try to be in the present. I'm that kind of person right now.' Asked if he received any messages or calls from the cricket fraternity during his 'tough times', pat came the reply: 'No one.' 'It's fine. I don't want anyone's sympathy. I've had my family's support and my friends who were there with me when I was not really well mentally. Obviously, people are busy doing their work and they have their family as well. So it didn't bother me at all because I had my family and then I was practising. 'I was in that zone where I was doing everything alone and it was really good for me.' Shaw said he has also been focusing on his fitness in the build-up to the season. 'These two-three months, I had my trainer come personally and train me, and I've got a dietician as well. 'All this over the last threefour months has really changed me physically and mentally. And maybe it can be seen on the field,' said Shaw, who was running briskly between the wickets earlier in the day. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Asia Cup: Shreyas Iyer ignored, Shubman Gill named vice captain; Yashasvi Jaiswal among standbys
BCCI Photo MUMBAI: Shubman Gill has been named India's vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, set to be played in the UAE next month. The 25-year-old opener, who led India to a 2-2 draw in the fiveTest series in England, returns to the T20I squad assuming a leadership role. Gill, captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL, replaces left-arm spinner Axar Patel as the deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the 15-man squad. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Alongside Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, Gill's selection ensures three opening options in the group, with Samson potentially serving as third opener. Gill's most recent T20I was against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2024, where he also served as vice-captain to Yadav. Despite impressive performances by Samson and Abhishek in India's last three T20I series against Bangladesh, South Africa and England, Gill's strong showing in IPL-2025, where he scored 650 runs at a strike rate of 155.87 and led his franchise to the playoffs, bolstered his inclusion. Additionally, Gill's exceptional performance in the Test series in England, scoring four centuries and amassing 754 runs, played a significant role. 'We obviously see some leadership qualities in him, and his form in England was what we were hoping for. He exceeded all our expectations, which is a great sign when there's so much pressure as captain,' explained chief selector Ajit Agarkar. 'There are more options for the top-order now and Shubman has been in great form anyway. When they get to Dubai, they can decide on the playing XI according to the opposition and the conditions,' Agarkar added. Samson's spot in XI uncertain? Gill's inclusion raises questions about Samson's role, especially after his struggles against England pacer Jofra Archer in the T20I series in Jan and Feb, India's last T20 assignment before the Asia Cup . There is speculation that Samson may be moved down the order, potentially making way for Jitesh Sharma as a finisher. 'Sanju was playing because Shubman and Yashasvi were not available at that point, and so was Abhishek. But Abhishek's performances clearly make it hard to leave him out. Plus, his bowling is handy. Like I said, Gill was vice-captain the last time he played T20 cricket. That was after the last T20 World Cup, so even at that point, clearly we were thinking along those lines. Now that he's available, at least he has two options. It's their headache to pick the batting lineup now, ours was to pick the 15. But we've got some real depth as far as T20 cricket is concerned, and we are very happy with it,' Agarkar stated. Suryakumar Yadav commented, 'The last time when he played T20Is for India, post the T20 World Cup when we went to Sri Lanka and when I was leading, Gill was the vice-captain. That's where we started a new cycle. 'After that, he got busy with all the Test series, and he didn't get an opportunity to play T20Is because he was busy playing Test cricket and Champions Trophy. Now, he's there in the squad, and we're happy to have him. ' Two of Mumbai's star batters, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and middle-order enforcer Shreyas Iyer did not make the squad. Jaiswal is among the five reserves, while Iyer was excluded despite scoring 604 runs at a strike rate of 175 in IPL 2025 and leading Punjab Kings to the final. Agarkar justified their omission. 'With regard to Yashasvi, it's just unfortunate again. There's Abhishek Sharma, what he's done over the last year or so — plus he can bowl a little bit — he gives us that option if required. One of these guys was going to miss out. Yashasvi just has to wait for his chance. With regard to Shreyas, who can he replace? No fault of his, nor ours. At the moment, you can just pick 15. So he will have to wait for his chance,' Agarkar said. Bumrah back, Siraj rested The squad sees the return of World's No. 1 fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, enhancing India's pace unit alongside Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Hardik Pandya. Mohammed Siraj has been rested to stay fresh for the upcoming Tests, and Mohammed Shami appears to have been excluded from the T20I format. Among spinners, Washington Sundar was not selected, while Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel were included. The reserves include Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. The tournament begins on Sept 9, with India opening their campaign against UAE at the Dubai International Stadium on Sept 10. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Oman, and UAE. The Asia Cup concludes on Sept 28 and will be one of the key auditions for spots for the men's T20 World Cup next Feb in India and Sri Lanka. 'Want Jasprit for all big games' Agarkar emphasised the importance of having Bumrah available for major tournaments. He last played for India in the T20 format in the 2024 T20 World Cup final vs South Africa in Barbados on June 29 and his workload management has been one of the big talking points in Indian cricket. 'I don't think there's any written plan. It has been a nice break after the England series. 'The physios and team management have been in touch, and clearly, we want him available for all the big games. There are World Cups, Champions Trophy, the big Test series like the ones against England and Australia and you want him available for those,' Agarkar explained. 'Based on how he's feeling and how we require him, we hope he's available more often than not,' he added. After a month-long break, India areexpected to arrive in Dubai early to acclimatise. SQUAD: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Shubman Gill (vicecaptain), Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Arshdeep Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav. Standbys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
