Imphal, February 02: With Manipur awarded to host the 17th edition of National Sub-Junior Hockey Championship from February 8 till 14 at Khuman Lampak Hockey stadium and other nearby stadia within Imphal area final touches are being given to ensure smooth and successful conduct of the national level competition, announced Manipur Hockey Association president and chairman of the organising committee Bijoy Koijam (MLA).

The championship is to be organised by Manipur Hockey Association under the aegis of Indian Hockey Federation (IHF).

It will the first ever national championship in hockey to be hosted by Manipur.

Interacting with newspersons today Bijoy Koijam said for grand success of the championship a high level committee with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh as the chairman has been constituted and would be assisted by a nine member sub-committee and media committee.

On financial aspect of organising the tournament, he pegged the total expenditure at Rs 26.40 lakhs including expenditures for allowances of players from 33 participating teams/States and officials to conduct matches.

Accommodations alone will cost the organising committee Rs 2.5 lakhs, he said while elaborating on costs pertaining to improvement of the playing fields, hiring vehicles for transportation of players and officials and purchase/installation of requisite equipment at the playing venues.

The organising committee chairman also expressed confidence of corporate houses, private and public undertakings like the Sail, NHPC, Power grid, NEC, NBCC, Hudco, Neepco and IOC supporting the championship as sponsors.

Indian Airlines authorities have also assured to bear some of the transport cost incurred in ferrying players and officials from other States, Bijoy Koijam said while fervently appealing to all concerned to refrain from imposing bandh/blockade during the competition period.

Announcing arrival of Punjab team by February 5, MHA general secretary Gyanendro Ningombam stated that barring some 3/4 teams affiliated to the iHF who are unlikely to take part in the championship others among 33 affiliated units have confirmed participation.

To be played on league cum knockout format, four technical officials and 20 umpires, including one tournament director would conduct the competition, added Gyanendro while elaborating on technicalities of the championship.

In addition to opportunity for local umpires to conduct matches, four national selectors including two from Manipur, will scout for talent to prepare Indian team for the forthcoming Junior World Cup, he informed.

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