Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will look to defend the title in the 93rd edition of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament to be held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here from Aug. 29 to Sept. 8.
Ten teams, fitted into two groups, will take part. The top two from each group will clash in the semifinals.
Speaking at a press conference, C.N. Shanmugham, secretary, Murugappa Group, said Indian Airforce will be taking part in the tournament “for the first time instead of ONGC”.
Punjab National Bank (PNB) is back in action after a two-year break, he added.
Good chance
Arun Murugappan, managing director, Parry Enterprises India Ltd., said the tournament is a good opportunity to showcase the best available talent in the country.
K. Dhananjaya Das, president of MCC, thanked Murugappa Group for its continued support and added that the Murugappa city schools tournament will be an annual affair.
Increase in prize money
This year, the Murugappa Gold Cup’s prize money has been increased by ₹1 lakh each for the top two teams. The winner will take home ₹6 lakh, while the runner-up will receive ₹3.5 lakh.
This is the first time that the tournament will be played in four quarters of 15 minutes each.
The teams: Group A: IOC, Indian Army, Bengaluru HA,IAF and PNB. Group B: RSPB, Punjab & Sind Bank, Central Secretariat, Indian Navy and Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu .
