GUWAHATI, March 19 � Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today inaugurated the 58th All India Police Hockey Championship here at the Md Taibulla Hockey stadium today.
Altogether 550 players representing 25 teams are participating in the event that will continue till March 26. The teams have been divided into eight groups and top team from each group will make the cut for the quarter-final stage, which will be played on knock-out basis. Matches will also be played in Sarusajai Stadium, besides the hockey stadium at Bhetapara.
Inaugurating the event, Gogoi said that such events would go a long way in improving the standard of the game and help hockey regain its lost charm in India.
The Chief Minister further stated that the event, where top players of the country are participating, would also provide a good exposure for the young players. �Police teams of our country have produced quality players over the years and such events would only boost the spirit of the players,� Gogoi said.
Earlier, Director General of Assam Police Sankar Barua, while giving his welcome speech, said that the hosting of such event was only possible due to the keenness shown by the State Government.
�The State has now state-of-the-art sporting infrastructure which is equipped to host national and international events,� the DGP said. A host of other senior Assam Police officials were present on the occasion. The last edition of the championship was played in Chandigarh in which BSF emerged as the champions.
In today�s matches Panjab beat Rajasthan 11-0, Tamil Nadu beat Assam 7-1, BSF beat Jharkhand 13-0.
