Murugappa Gold Cup from today

Tribune News Service  

Chandigarh, July 26  

The 91st edition of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey will be held from July 27 to August 6 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Egmore, Chennai. 

A total of 10 teams, pooled in two groups, will vie for the top honours during the 11-day tournament.   

While Pool A features defending champions Indian Railways, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Punjab & Sind Bank, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Bangaluru, Pool B comprises Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Punjab National Bank, Army XI, Hockey Odisha and Central Secretariat Hockey Team.     

The winners will take home Rs 5 lakh, while the runners-up will get Rs 2.5 lakh. A cash prize of RS 10,000 along with a high-end bicycle will also be given to the best forward, best midfielder, best goalkeeper/ defender, the most promising player of the tournament and the man of the match of the finals, the organisers said on Wednesday. 

The tournament will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis, with the top two teams from each pool qualifying for the semifinals to be played on August 5.  The finals will be played on August 6 under floodlights, the organisers added.

Punjab & Sind Bank will open its campaign against BPCL on Friday, while Punjab National Bank will square off with Hockey Odisha in its opening match on July 30.   

Teams

Pool A: Indian Railways, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Punjab & Sind Bank, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Bangaluru

Pool B: Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Punjab National Bank, Army XI, Hockey Odisha and Central Secretariat Hockey Team