Hockey enthusiasts of the city were in for a treat with the recently concluded CC&FC Hockey Premier League 2023. The first of its kind in the city, the hockey tournament saw great participation from the social club circuit of Calcutta. The format of the game was designed to keep minimum contact with six players on the field and no goalkeeper. The rules of the game were in accordance with regular field hockey standards but tweaked to avoid injuries. The league was made even more interesting with player auctions where each of the seven team owners bid for their 11 players. Each team played each other twice during the tournament and the top four qualified for the knockout stages.
“The concept of having a Hockey Premier League was conceived keeping in mind that the sport had lost its following both in terms of spectators and players, especially in the social club circuit. We wanted to have a tournament where former players and youngsters had an opportunity to play the game and thus revived the sport in the social club circuit. Keeping all the above in mind, we had the first CC&FC Hockey Premier League 2023 at the Calcutta Cricket & Football Club, Ballygunge. The tournament was very successful and well-received by all and we hope that next year, it will be bigger and even better,” said Nirmalya Karmakar, head, tournament committee, Hockey Premier League. Glimpses.
Jalinga Hockey was in high spirits and posed for the camera as the runners-up for the league.
Team Eldyne Dribblers took third place in the league.
The Hockey Premier League 2023 Tournament Committee (left to right) Nirmalya Karmakar, Cyril Bruce Lindsay and Divyak Doshi.
