HOCKEY INDIA’S member units marked the International Olympic Day with celebrations that involved young and the old, men and women, from different regions, from different backgrounds to come together and rejoice the momentous occasion celebrating the inclusive spirit of hockey. Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23, worldwide, and was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games held on June 23, 1894 in Paris.
The Olympic Day celebrations witnessed over 35 member units of Hockey India host various activities across the country that brought hundreds of hockey lovers – regardless of gender and athletic ability to participate in sporting activities, exhibitions, music, educational seminars and quizzes at NGOs among other activities.
The celebrations saw some great initiatives including Hockey Mizoram which conducted Olympic Day Men & Women Hockey Tournaments at various districts, Hockey Gangpur-Odisha made a factsheet on Olympic Day and distributed it to spread awareness, Delhi Hockey organised a 6-a-side hockey match. Chhattisgarh Hockey and Assam Hockey conducted friendly matches. Hockey Maharashtra organised a one day coaching clinic for sports teachers for hockey training at school level.
Mumbai Sports School Association, Hockey Haryana, Manipur Hockey, Telangana Hockey, Hockey Uttarakhand, Hockey Jharkhand are just a few of the many other units that celebrated Olympic Day with friendly matches and training programs. Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, Secretary General, Hockey India, stated,
“Hockey is one of the most celebrated Olympic sports in India. This year has seen an overwhelming response from all our member units engaging in innovative activities that brought hundreds of hockey lovers together and endorse the spirit of sportsmanship, embrace the values of friendship, respect and camaraderie that sports exhibits.”