Hockey India announces nationwide festival and major financial grants to national and grassroots-level events
Hockey India made multiple important announcements, including the conducting of a nationwide festival of hockey on November 7, 2025, and significant financial support for the development of the game at state and national levels on Sunday.
The announcements came at the fifteenth Hockey India Congress in Mahabalipuram, organised to commemorate 100 years of Indian hockey.
The Nationwide Festival of Hockey Celebration is intended to feature 1000 simultaneous matches — one men’s and one women’s match in every district of the country — and will involve over 36,000 players spanning both the men’s and women’s games.
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Significant increases in financial grants for state and national-level hockey development were also announced.
These grants include Rs. 70 lakhs each for hosting the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s National Championships, Rs. 30 lakhs each for hosting Junior Men, Junior Women, Sub-Junior Men, and Sub-Junior Women National Championships, and Rs. 25 lakhs to each state for the hosting of district and state-level competitions.
Dr. Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, said, “As we celebrate 100 years of Indian hockey, we not only honour our golden legacy but also lay a strong foundation for the future. This nationwide festival is our tribute to every player, coach, and fan who has carried Indian hockey forward. The financial support we are announcing is a direct investment in the dreams of the next generation, ensuring that no talent is left behind due to lack of resources.”
Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, added, “This centenary celebration is not just symbolic — it’s action-oriented. The increased grants are a reflection of our belief that real growth happens at the grassroots, and that equal opportunity, gender parity, and quality infrastructure are essential pillars of hockey’s resurgence. We thank all our state units and districts for their commitment, and we look forward to a grand, inclusive celebration on 7th November.”