The long-awaited comeback of the Hockey India League is finally happening in 2024, with both men's and women's teams competing simultaneously. The league will include eight men's teams and six women's teams, giving a platform for India's best players and international talent to showcase their skills. The three-day player auction will also have a new feature, with no upper limits on bidding to create a level playing field for all teams. This move aims to revitalize Indian hockey and nurture local talent, while also bringing in international expertise to the league.
Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament: A Renowned Event in Indian Hockey
The Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament, held annually in Jalandhar, India, is a prestigious event that commemorates the life and legacy of the legendary hockey player Surjit Singh. The tournament, which has been held since 1982, features top teams from India and around the world.
In the recent years, the tournament has witnessed participation from teams such as:
Background
Surjit Singh, born in Jalandhar in 1947, was a renowned hockey player who represented India in three Olympic Games (1968, 1972, and 1976) and won a gold medal at the 1975 World Cup. He was known for his exceptional dribbling skills, speed, and goal-scoring ability.
The Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament was established in 1982 to honor Singh's memory and promote the sport of hockey in India. The tournament has grown in stature over the years, becoming one of the most prestigious hockey events in the country.
Recent Developments
The 2023 edition of the tournament will mark the 41st year of its existence. The tournament is expected to attract top teams from India, including the national team and other strong contenders such as BSF, CRPF, CAG, and Punjab Police.
Additionally, the tournament will feature a women's category for the first time, providing a platform for female hockey players to showcase their talent.
FAQs
1. When and where is the Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament held? Answer: The tournament is held annually in Jalandhar, India, typically in December.
2. What is the format of the tournament? Answer: The tournament features multiple teams competing in a round-robin format, followed by playoffs to determine the winner.
3. What teams have won the tournament in the past? Answer: Past winners include BSF, CRPF, CAG, Punjab Police, and the Indian national team.
4. Who was Surjit Singh? Answer: Surjit Singh was a legendary hockey player who represented India in three Olympic Games and won a gold medal at the 1975 World Cup.
5. What is the purpose of the Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament? Answer: The tournament aims to honor the memory of Surjit Singh, promote the sport of hockey in India, and provide a platform for aspiring players.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.