Delhi Waveriders Cup to promote hockey at grassroots level

New Delhi: A first-of-its-kind hockey school tournament -- Delhi Waveriders School Cup -- will witness 32 school teams in Delhi/NCR battle it out for top honours at the Major Dhyanchand National Stadium starting today.

The school tournament has been backed by Hockey India (HI) with an aim to promote the national game at the grassroot level. The real estate major, Wave Group, will be hosting the tournament, presented by the Ponty Chadha Foundation.

The tournament was today flagged off by Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah, while the President of International Hockey Federation (FIH), Leandro Negre was also present at the inaugural ceremony.

"It is a great opportunity for the young talent to showcase their skills, it is a good initiative by The Ponty Chaddha Foundation and Hockey India. These tournaments help in nurturing young talent. I wish all the participants good luck," Farooq Abdullah said.

The tournament will conclude on December 24 and the winning team will get a chance to play an exhibition match against last year's HIL (Hockey India League) runners-up, Delhi Waveriders. The team will also get an opportunity to visit the Indian national camp, thereby learning the nuances of hockey from the topmost players in the country.

The national selectors will also be present during the tournament and the youngsters will get an opportunity to showcase their talent in front of them. "We want to promote hockey in India at all levels. This is an exciting tournament where we would be scouting for young talent, we will be having National Selectors present during the tournament," Hockey India Secretary General, Narender Batra, said.

The aim is to take this tournament to other cities as well, thus creating the best national level school hockey tournament in the country.