Exciting Hockey Action Awaits at Pune's 41st PSPB Inter-Unit Tournament
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Pune, March 5 (NationPress) - The city of Pune is preparing to host a spectacular lineup of national and international hockey talents during the 41st PSPB Inter-Unit Hockey Tournament, which will take place at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium located in Nehrunagar-Pimpri.
This esteemed tournament is organized by the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), uniting leading Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) from all over India to compete with a spirit of sportsmanship and excellence.
This year's event will be hosted by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), under the guidance of Deepak Jain, the Chief General Manager of Sports at BPCL.
In a notable first, the tournament will be held under floodlights. The last event to feature floodlight play was the 14th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship back in March 2025.
Four teams will compete in this tournament: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and Engineers India Limited (EIL). They will engage in an all-play-all format, with the inaugural match kicking off on Thursday at 7:30 PM IST.
The tournament is set to commence on Thursday, culminating in the final match scheduled for the evening of March 8.
The previous tournament was won by BPCL, led by Devindar Walmiki, a 2016 Olympian and captain of Maharashtra, while IOCL secured the runner-up position.
On this occasion, Deepak Jain remarked, “The PSPB Hockey Tournament has established itself as one of India's most esteemed institutional hockey championships, highlighting premier talent from across the nation.”
Jain further stated, “Hosting the 41st PSPB tournament in Pune is a significant honor for BPCL, as this platform showcases Olympians who bring glory to their organizations. The championship not only celebrates India's national sport but also reinforces BPCL's unwavering commitment to enhancing competition and delivering exciting matches for hockey fans.
He added, “BPCL champions sporting excellence and the advancement of hockey, both institutionally and nationally. This event is a proud moment for Pune and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), as it brings elite hockey to the region.”
This year's tournament is expected to deliver intense action, featuring prominent Indian hockey figures, including Tushar Khandker, Devindar Walmiki, and Birendra Lakra, among many others. Their participation is anticipated to significantly enhance the excitement of the games.