41st IndianOil Servo Surjit Hockey begins Tomorrow (October 19)
Jalandhar, October 18: The stage is set for the country's prestigious 41st IndianOil Servo Surjit Hockey Tournament, is starting here at the local Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park on October 19.
Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar who is also the President of Surjit Hockey Society, said that this tournament is organised every year is to keep the name of the Olympian & former Skipper of the Indian hockey team late Sardar Surjit Singh Randhawa alive, who lost his life in a tragic car accident near Jalandhar on January 7, 1984. Like the previous 34 years, this year also the Asia's largest and leading Maharatana Oil Company 'Indian Oil Corporation Limited' will be the main title sponsor of the tournament while Gakhal Group of USA will be the co-sponsor of the tournament.
According to Iqbal Singh Sandhu, CEO the society that the 41st edition of the tournament will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis. Former champions Indian Oil Mumbai, BSF, Jalandhar and Indian Air Force New Delhi in Pool-A, Punjab Police, Bharat Petroleum Mumbai and CRPF,
new Delhi in Pool-B, CAG New Delhi, Indian Railways New Delhi and RCF Kapurthala in Pool-C whereas Army-XI Delhi, Punjab & Sind Bank New Delhi and Indian Navy Mumbai has been placed in Pool-D.
Lakhwinder Pal Singh Khaira, working president of the society, said that the tournament committee is expecting a large number of hockey lovers as this year also the spectators coming to watch the hockey matches and the players/officials who will participate in this tournament will be given the slogan “Surjeet Hockey”. Three motorcycles, refrigerators and LCDs will be given away on the last day under the slogan 'Look-Win Attractive Prizes'. Otherwise, prizes will be awarded by drawing hearts. These prizes will be decided through a draw and lucky coupons will be issued to every spectator for 9 days, while lucky coupons will be given to players/officials on the first match day. These matches will be played under flood lights in the stadium and the entry of spectators will be free. All arrangements for living, transport, security, medical etc. of the players and officials have been completed.
Surinder Singh Bhapa, general secretary of the society said that the semi-final and final matches of the tournament will be held on October 25 and 26 respectively. Arrangements have been made for live telecasting on the PTC channels. All India Radio, Jalandhar will also relay 'ball-to-ball' running commentary of the final match. There will be a colorful cultural program on the final day of the tournament where popular Punjabi folk singer Jasbir Jassi will perform live to entertain the audience before the start of final match on October 26 from 4.00 pm onwards. A full-fledged media center has also been set up to facilitate print and electronic media.
L.R. Nayyar, Working President of the Society said that the tournament will be inaugurated by Punjab Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat at 5.45 pm while SM Tumane, CGM (Retail Sales), Indian Oil including local MLAs will attend the tournament as guests. The opening match of the tournament will be played between Punjab & Sind Bank, New Delhi and Indian Navy, Mumbai at 5.45 pm while the second match of the day will be between BSF, Jalandhar and Indian Air Force New Delhi at 3.45 pm.
