100 Years of Indian Hockey: HI Announces Enhanced Grants and Nationwide Festival

As Indian hockey marks its glorious 100-year journey, Hockey India (HI) has announced landmark initiatives to boost the sport’s growth and celebrate its legacy. At the 15th Hockey India Congress held in Mahabalipuram on July 27, 2025, HI unveiled a major increase in financial grants for national and grassroots-level tournaments and announced a nationwide hockey festival scheduled for November 7, 2025.

Enhanced Financial Grants for Championships

In a bid to strengthen infrastructure and expand participation, Hockey India will now allocate ₹70 lakh each for the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s National Championships. For the Junior and Sub-Junior categories, both men and women, ₹30 lakh each will be provided to ensure quality competitions and better exposure for young athletes.

Additionally, every state association will receive ₹25 lakh each year to support district and state-level competitions, ensuring talent identification and development at the grassroots. HI emphasized that these grants will ease the financial constraints faced by organizers and help provide better facilities for emerging players.

Nationwide Festival to Commemorate the Milestone

To mark the centenary of Indian hockey, Hockey India will host a nationwide festival on November 7, 2025. The event will witness 1,000 simultaneous matches — with one men’s and one women’s match in every district of the country. The massive celebration aims to engage over 36,000 players, equally divided between men and women, symbolizing inclusivity and unity in Indian hockey.

Tribute to the Legacy and Future of Hockey

Speaking on the occasion, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey highlighted the dual objective of the celebration — to honour the golden legacy of Indian hockey and to invest in its future. He stated, “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 financial support is a direct investment in the dreams of the next generation, ensuring no talent is left behind due to lack of resources.”

Significance of the Announcement

This initiative marks a historic moment for Indian hockey, combining celebration with strategic investment. The enhanced funding will directly support players, coaches, and grassroots officials, the backbone of India’s hockey ecosystem. Moreover, the November 7 festival will not only commemorate the sport’s rich past but also inspire widespread youth participation, strengthening hockey’s status as India’s national pride.