Domestic Hockey Comes Alive in 3rd Marshall of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tourney

Domestic hockey action returns to Chandigarh where the 3rd Marshall of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament is being played at the AstroTurf hockey ground of 3 BRD. As many as twelve teams are featuring in the four-day tournament that includes one overseas team – Bangladesh Air Force. Indian Air Force are pitted in Pool A alongside CISF and Bangladesh Air Force. Indian Oil, South-Central Railway and Indian Navy are placed in Pool B. Punjab National Bank, Punjab Police and Army XI are pitted in Pool C, while RCF, ICF and Chandigarh XI are placed in Pool D.

The tournament is being organised by the Indian Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB) – it is being revived after a three-year hiatus owing to Covid-19. It may be worth recalling that Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai had won the 3rd Marshall of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament held in 2009, prevailing over South-Central Railway 7-5 in a shootout after both teams were tied 2-2 in normal time. 16 teams participated in the 2019 edition that featured Air Force teams from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Punjab Police had won the 1st Marshall of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament held in 2018 – the Punjab cops had sailed past Indian Air Force 5-2 in the final. The Pool A toppers would face Pool D toppers in the first semifinal, while Pool B toppers would clash with Pool C toppers in the second semifinal to be played on April 22, with the final slated for April 23.