Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the 3rd
Hockey India Senior Women Inter-Department National Championship 2023 on
Wednesday.
The tournament will feature eight teams divided into
two pools, and it will run until November 21. During the league stage of the
tournament, each team will play against all other teams in their pool.
Pool A includes the Railway Sports Promotion Board,
Sports Authority of India, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India. On the other
hand, Pool B comprises Sashastra Seema Bal, All India Police Sports Control
Board, Tamil Nadu Police, and Indian Oil Corporation.
The top two teams from each pool will then advance to
the Semi-Finals, which are scheduled for 20th November. The Final will take
place on 21st November, along with the 3rd/4th place play-off.
During the event, Puri expressed his delight and told
reporters, “It is a proud thing for us that sporting activities are being
attached at the national level with national spirit. Our sportspersons are
winning several medals for the nation and that’s a very important change.
We can also see that under PM Modi’s leadership major
changes can be witnessed and I believe this kind of sporting activities will
support the national spirit.”
A total of 20 players from the National Core Group
will be participating in this tournament.
Bansari Solanki will represent Sports Authority of
India, while Indian Oil Corporation will be represented by Akshata Abaso
Dhekale, Mahima Chaudhary, Jyoti, Ajmina Kujur, Baljeet Kaur, Bichu Devi
Kharibam, Deepika, Ishika Chaudhary, Sharmila Devi, Udita, and Vaishnavi
Vitthal Phalke.
The Railway Sports Promotion Board, the reigning
Champions, will look to defend their title with Deep Grace Ekka, Vandana
Katariya, Mariana Kujur, Rajani Etimarpu, Gurjit Kaur, Monika, Navneet Kaur,
and Sangita Kumari leading the charge.
ANI
