Winners of Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Tournament to get Rs. 51 lakh next year

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced that winners of the International Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament-2012 will be given prize worth Rs. 21 lakh. This amount will be increased to Rs. 51 lakh next year. Shri Chouhan was addressing formal inaugural function of the tournament at local Aishbagh Stadium here today. Urban Administration and Development Minister Shri Babulal Gaur was also present. On the occasion, a pool match was played between teams of New Zealand and Punjab & Sindh Bank. It is noteworthy that prize amount for Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament was Rs. 11 lakh last year, which has been increased to Rs. 21 lakh by the Chief Minister.
Shri Chouhan said that whatever is necessary for hockey’s glory will be done. He urged players to come forward to promote hockey. There will be no paucity of funds for hockey. He said that hockey is the glory of India. Therefore, he has urged the Union Government also to adopt hockey. He said that he will also make efforts at personal level for unification of both the hockey federations.
Shri Chouhan also announced proportional increase in the prize amount for runners up and the team standing third in this international hockey tournament.
He said hockey is the soul of Bhopal. The tournament will be held on more grand scale in future. He said that cultural programmes should also be held on grand scale during the tournament from next year. Earlier, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated famous hockey player Shri Dhanraj Pillai on behalf of Bhopal’s people. He also congratulated artistes who staged cultural programmes.
Former Olympian Dhanraj Pillai expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan for organising the tournament on behalf of all the players. He said that residents of Bhopal have good understanding of hockey. He said that Gold Cup Hockey Tournament is developing into an event in which all the teams of the world will like to participate. He informed that six international teams will participate in the next tournament.
MLA Shri Vishwas Sarang said that the State Government has fulfilled demands of Bhopal’s people including bringing water from Narmada river to Bhopal to meet drinking water requirements and revival of Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament.
Director Sports and Youth Welfare Dr. Shailendra Shrivastava delivered the welcome address. At the outset, Sushri Suhasini Joshi and companions recited Vande Matram and Madhya Pradesh Song. Cultural programmes were also held. MLAs Shri Dhruv Narayan Singh and Shri Arif Aqeel, Secretary Sports and Youth Welfare Shri Ashok Shah, Olympian Shri Ashok Kumar Dhyanchand and hockey players Sameer Dad, Shri I.K. Rahman, Shri Shaukat Ali, Shri Shivendra Singh a large number of players and sports lovers were present on the occasion.
On way to the venue to attend the function, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan was greeted with flowers and garlands at several points by players and sports lovers.