New Delhi: With the aim to popularize the game of hockey at the grass-root level, Hockey India (HI) has decided to give an annual grant to all its State Associations. The decision was taken during the Hockey India Executive Board meeting held in New Delhi on Saturday.

HI has decided to give Rs 5 lakhs each to all its State Associations to help them improve the sport of hockey in their respective region. The grant will be used to organize Senior, Junior, Sub-Junior level tournaments as well as most importantly school level tournament. This will help them attract more youngsters towards the national game and play for the pride of our country.

This is the first time in the history of Indian Hockey that Hockey India will give grant to its State Associations, since the commencement of men and women hockey from 1927 onwards.

Indian Hockey has often suffered with lack of funds but this grant will help to promote our national game at the grass-root level. Announcing the grant Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra said, “Though as a game hockey is popular in the country, this grant will help to encourage more youngsters to come and play Hockey which will popularize the game at grass-root level.”

In the HI Executive Board meeting it was also decided to give financial support to a pool of 33 junior men and 33 junior women players. Hockey India will give each player Rs. 1,20,000 per annum which is equal to Rs. 10,000 per month payable at every quarter. The shortlisting from 48 to 33 will be done in early June 2012 and payments will start from July- September quarter. This amount will provide a big support for players in purchasing their equipment and it will further help players to reduce the financial burden on their families.

The decision regarding Annual Retainership fee for senior men and women players will be taken shortly. The board authorized Narinder Batra to finalize the same.