New Delhi: Minister of Union Minister of Youth and Anurag Sports Singh Thakur officially inaugurated the First Level Khelo India Hockey League (under 21) at the Dhyan Chand Major National Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Thakur joined the Minister of State for the business of Youth and Sports Nisith Pramanik and President of the Indian Olympic Association Narendra Batra and other officials.
The league holds RS 30 lakh cash prize for winners – 15 lakh from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs and 15 Lakh from Indian Hockey.
14 teams competed in the first phase of the tournament to be held from December 15 to 21.
A total of 42 matches will be played during the first phase, while the second and third phase will be held early next year.
Happy Indian sports authority and Indian hockey to jointly organize the first national level Khelo League, Thakur talked about the importance of this league and said, “All our athletes practice very hard throughout the year, but it is very important for the athletes also getting exposure to competition That is enough if they have to prepare for a bigger competition in the future.
Because it has this kind of league, which provides exposure to athletes throughout the year, very important.
“Anurag Thakur said that going forward, the league for other sports disciplines will also be held .
He also mentioned that after 2015, this was the first major program detained at the main Dhyanchand Stadium and welcomed the players to an iconic place.
Batra, IOA the President said that the league would do a miracle in terms of taking hockey to every part of India.
“I believe this is a big initiative.
Support from Sai and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs in the last 5-6 years has been very large and this positive attitude has helped get excellent results for hockey at this year’s Olympics,” he said.