Hockey India inducts Hockey Patiala as new associate member

New Delhi: In its bid to develop the game at the grassroot level, Hockey India today inducted Hockey Patiala as its new associate member.

The decision to affiliate Hockey Patiala was approved after taking into consideration the fact that Hockey Patiala is a unit of Patiala Union Hockey Association which has in the past successfully conducted various domestic events in both men and women categories, a HI statement said. "This commendable work of developing the game in the region made Hockey India take the easy decision of inducting Hockey Patiala in its fold," it added. Speaking on the induction of newly-formed Hockey Patiala in its fold, HI secretary general Narinder Batra said: "I take this opportunity to welcome Hockey Patiala on board. We are happy to have them as part of our family, as we recognise the work that Patiala Union Hockey Association has done in the past for the development of hockey. "We feel that with Hockey Patiala as an associate member of Hockey India will be able to take the development of the game further." Rajinder Singh Mann is the president and Sukhwinder Kaur is the general secretary of Hockey Patiala. Hockey India currently has 25 permanent members, 22 associate members, two members through state Olympic associations, six academy members and one Hoc-Key member.