Former champions Air India, after a one year hiatus are making a comeback and have confirmed their participation in the 14th PMC Bank-All India Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, which is scheduled to be played at the MHAL-Mahindra Stadium, Churchgate from Sunday, October 14 to Tuesday, October 23, 2018.
Air India due to non-availability of players, had skipped the tournament last year, but are determined to make a strong comeback. The fancied Air India outfit, who had recently reached the semi-finals of the K.D. Singh Babu Hockey Tournament in Lucknow early this month, are keen to go all the way and try to regain the Guru Tegh Bahadur title, which they had last won in 2015 when they beat Army XI 3-1 in the final. The airmen had lost 0-2 to PNB in the semi-finals the following year.
However, Indian Oil, the joint winners with South Central Railway last year, have withdrawn from the tournament due to paucity of players. The key players of the Indian Oil team are currently on national duty, either participating in Sultan Johor Cup or some are training at the national camp in preparation for the various International tournaments like Youth Olympics and Asia Cup.
Besides Air India the other teams that would be seen in action include, South Central Railway, Punjab National Bank, Hockey Bhopal, Central Secretariat, Central Railway, Western Railway, Indian Navy and Union Bank of India.
The teams would be fighting for the top prize of Rs two lakhs and the glittering Guru Tegh Bahadur Gold Cup, while the runners-up would receive a cash award of Rs one lakh. In addition individual cash prizes of Rs 5,000 each would be presented to the Best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and the emerging player of the tournament and the player of the final.
On the opening day on Sunday, Western Railway will meet Central Secretariat at 2.30pm followed by the match between Indian Navy and Hockey Bhopal, in Group-B matches.
The Groupings –
Group-A: Punjab National Bank, Air India, Central Railway, Union Bank of India.
Group-B: South Central Railway, Indian Navy, Western Railway, Hockey Bhopal, Central Secretariat.