-Pratyusha Mukherjee
The seventh edition of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament got underway at Air Force Station Jalahalli on Monday, with the Indian Air Force defeating the Indian Army (Southern Command) 2-0 in the opening match.
The tournament, organised by the Air Force Sports Control Board as part of the 107th birth anniversary commemorations of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, will be held from June 23 to July 3 and features 16 teams from across the country.
The opening ceremony was attended by Air Marshal S. Sivakumar, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA), who formally declared the tournament open. Cultural performances marked the inauguration of the prestigious competition.
In the opening encounter, the hosts made a strong start to their campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over the Army side. Agniveer Vinayak Santosh Hande was named Man of the Match for his standout performance and received a cash award of ₹25,000 from the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal Sivakumar highlighted the significance of the tournament in promoting hockey and nurturing talent.
“We are delighted to be back with the Marshal of the Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament which is the most prestigious tournament in the country. This tournament will provide a platform for the elite hockey teams of the country. Indian Air Force will ensure that no stone is left unturned in the smooth conduct of the tournament,” he said.
The annual tournament is organised in memory of , one of India’s most celebrated military leaders, and serves as a tribute to his contributions to the nation and the Indian Air Force.
With 16 teams in contention, the competition is expected to showcase some of the country’s top hockey talent over the next 10 days.
