Sub-Junior hockey championship from Sep 27

Bhopal, Sep 25 (UNI) Defending champion Uttar Pradesh will be among 41 teams participating in the 13th National Sub Junior Boys Hockey Championship beginning here on September 27.

The championship, being organised by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and Sports and Youth Welfare department, will be played in two rounds on 'league-cum-knockout' basis, Sports department Joint Director Vinod Pradhan told reporters here today.

Each team will play at least four matches. The first round of championship will be played from September 27 to September 30, while the second round will be from October 1 to October 6.

Sub-juniors representing Indian Airlines, Services, Railway, Steel Authority of India Limited, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and Punjab and Sindh Bank will also participate in the championship, added Mr Pradhan.

The first round Quarter finals will be held on September 30 and the second round quarter final is slated on October 4, while the semi-final and final match will be played on October 5 and October 6 respectively.

''The final will be played in flood light and other matches will be played on synthetic turf of Sports Athority of India (SAI) ground'' said Mr Pradhan.

''Meanwhile, the National Sub Junior team for Asia Cup slated in November at Dhaka will also be selected on the occasion,'' Mr Pradhan added.

UNI