73rd All India Police Hockey Championship kicks off in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, April 7: The 73rd All India Police Hockey Championship–2025 was officially inaugurated at the 7th Battalion Ground in Bhubaneswar today. The prestigious event is being hosted by the Odisha Police under the aegis of the All India Police Sports Control Board.

Director General of Police (DGP), Odisha, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania attended as the Chief Guest and took the ceremonial salute during the inaugural parade. In his address, the DGP welcomed all participants and underscored the importance of sports in fostering discipline, unity, and fitness within the police force. He highlighted Odisha’s growing reputation in national sports, particularly in water sports, shooting, and hockey.

Khurania paid special tribute to Sundargarh district, calling it the cradle of Indian hockey. He praised the contributions of legendary players from the region, including Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey, Lazarus Barla, and Birendra Lakra. He also thanked the Government of Odisha for its long-term sponsorship of Indian hockey and its support in hosting this event.

The championship, scheduled from April 7 to 15 at Kalinga Stadium, features teams from State Police and Central Armed Police Forces, playing in a league-cum-knockout format. The event is being conducted with the support of the Sports & Youth Services Department and Odisha Hockey Association.

The inaugural ceremony also included addresses by senior officials including IGP (Training) Anup Kumar Sahoo, Additional DGP Dayal Gangwar, and Additional DGP Rajesh Kumar. The DGP called for error-free organization and encouraged players to uphold the values of fair play and sportsmanship.