Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken said on Friday the oldest hockey tournament in the world, the Beighton Cup, would get government support from next year.
Admitting that he was not aware of the history behind the tournament, he said the government was willing to offer Rs. 5 lakh every year to keep the tournament going.
The minister also assured that a water source for the newly laid astroturf at the SAI centre would soon be provided.
Maken also inaugurated the newly laid synthetic eight-lane athletic track at the SAI centre and hoped it would help local athletes hone their skills.
“We have some very good coaches at the SAI and I hope the budding athletes will take full advantage of the facility,'' he said.
The Union government would also contribute, along with the State Government, in building a new hockey stadium with astro-turf playfield inside the Salt Lake Stadium complex.
Maken wondered why the IOA and other National federations were against the sports bill.
“There must be vested interests. Otherwise why should one oppose the bill,'' he asked.
“The bill will bring about complete transparency in the working of these National bodies,'' he said.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is one of the bodies opposing the bill.
