: The annual IOB-Syed Ahmed memorial hockey tournament acquires an all-India stature this time. The event goes into stream on July 6 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium with a prize money of Rs.100,000 for the winner and Rs.75,000 for the runner-up.
Co-sponsored by Nissan Motors, the competition concludes on July 15.
At a media briefing on Tuesday, Rehan Ahmed, organizing secretary and son of the late Syed Ahmed, recalled the class and calibre of his father who was a stalwart on the state scene in the 50s and early 60s. He was a player, umpire and coach.
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The speakers who hailed the contribution of Syed Ahmed to the cause of hockey included former Olympians Jude Felix, Sabu Varkey, Shivalingam, Joint Secretary, Cosmopolitan Club and Md. Aziz, Secretary, IOB Sports Board, the title sponsor.
Twenty teams are in the fray headed by Western Railway, followed by Army (Red) XI, South Central Railway and Sports Hostel, Lucknow.
All the leading districts- Kovilpatti, Tirunelveli, Tiruchi, Nilgiris, and Vadipatti- are also part of the event which will feature the top local teams like IOB, Indian Bank, Central Excise, Southern Railway, TN Police and SAI.
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Muhammad Muneer, International umpire and FIH approved technical official, will be the Tournament Director.
Kovilpatti takes on Dominic memorial in the opening match at the Radhakrishnan Stadium.