FOUR-NATION PUNJAB GOLD CUP WILL WITNESS CLASSIC AND MODERN HOCKEY

CHANDIGARH, January 25, 2009

Punjab is humming with activities as the first-ever Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup Invitational Hockey Tournament is being organized by the Punjab Sports Department at the Sector 42 Astroturf Hockey Stadium here from January 31 to February 9.

 
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Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, at Chandigarh on Sunday regarding Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup invitational Hockey Tournament being organized by the state government from Jan 31st to Feb 9, 2009.

The spectators will be treated to classic and modern hockey as Olympic champions Germany and European champions The Netherlands, New Zealand (ranked 7th) along with hosts India (ranked 11th) slug it out for the coveted title.

Addressing a crowded press conference here today at Punjab Bhawan, Organizing Committee Chairman Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also president of Shiromani Akali Dal, said organization of the Punjab Gold Cup Hockey, is one of the various innovative steps the Punjab Government had taken under the guidance of the Chief Minister, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal.

"Our endeavor is to regain the hockey glory as India have won the Olympic Hockey gold eight times. Hockey is our national game and the Punjab Government will do its best to promote and popularize this fascinating sports discipline."

"The Punjab Government has already taken steps to broad base sports activities at the grass root level by initiating a Punjab Hockey League which has attracted more than 170 teams from different schools, colleges and sports academies," said Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal.

"The young hockey trainees from rural areas of Punjab will be brought here to witness the top world stars in action during the Punjab Gold Cup. I have already instructed the concerned departments to make suitable arrangements for their transportation, board and lodging etc," disclosed Mr Sukhbir.

Announcing that the Punjab Government would soon formulate a result-oriented sports policy, Mr Sukhbir Badal said that job opportunities would be provided to the outstanding sportspersons of the state to check the sports drain to other states.

"Till 1980, India were regarded as 'Hockey Giants' and Punjab had made the lion's contribution at the national level. My vision is to raise sports standard in Punjab to match the world level by providing modern infrastructure, scientific training and regular international exposure. I will strive to again make Punjab a sports arm of the country."

Sansarpur was known as nursery of Indian hockey. The Punjab Gold Cup will surely play an important role in regaining lost glory.

Besides laying the latest astroturfs, including six-a-side, the Punjab Government is totally committed to raise state-of-art infrastructure throughout the state. Besides, the government will upgrade the existing sports infrastructure to international level,said Sukhbir Badal.

"The organizing committee has made all arrangements for the participating teams/officials/ technical officials and other dignitaries. The German Embassy has already shown keen interest in the Punjab Gold Cup Hockey to be played on double-leg basis. This opportunity will surely provide India another step to strengthen the Indo-German ties in the field of sports. Similarly we will further cement our relations with Holland, New Zealand and other countries through sports activities,'' declared Sukhbir Badal.

"We have extended invitations to the officials of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the governing body of hockey in the world, the Indian Olympic Association and other prominent sports personalities and other dignitaries for the occasion. I, on behalf of the Punjab Government and the organizing committee thank the FIH and ad hoc committee of the IOA for allotting Punjab the prestigious event," said Sukhbir.

Organizing Secretary Padam Shree Pargat Singh, former Indian hockey captain and coach, informed that the German and Dutch teams would be playing on the Indian soil after a span of over 30 years. The tournament will offer the Indian team a golden opportunity to re-affirm their position in the elite group of top hockey-playing nations.

Olympian Pargat Singh, who is also Punjab Sports Director, said the Punjab Gold Cup would provide a sound preparation ground for the Indian team for the World Cup and Commonwealth Games scheduled in India in 2010.

The Punjab Sports Department is trying to arrange for a provision of live streaming over the event website with additional features like forums for discussion and comments. Special attention is being paid to spectator services – convenient seating, food stalls and colourful opening and closing ceremonies.

Active participation of youth is being promoted through this large scale event; especially for children with possibilities to interact with their heroes in a mixed zone.

Secretary Sports, Punjab Government, Mr PS Aujla said that the Punjab Sports Department had involved professionals from a Sports Management Company, Playsport, to ensure smooth conduct of the event.

"The organizing committee is strictly following the norms of the International Hockey Federation for the smooth conduct of the tournament. Arrangements of the teams and dignitaries have as per the high standards. The teams and officials accompanying them will stay at Hotel Taj. Luxury buses will be provided to the team for transportation from Delhi to Chandigarh. Various committees have been formed and they are discharging their duties assigned to them," said Mr Aujla, IAS.

Pargat Singh said that the FIH has appointed Ramesh Appoo of Singapore as Technical Director of the tournament. Muneer Sait will be the Technical Official. Mr Appoo will be assisted by neutral umpire Kim Hong Lae (Korea), national umpires Blash Fabian (Germany), Bruning Michiel (Netherlands), Tomlinson David (NZL) and Shaikh Javed (India).

Hosts India will cross swords with Black Sticks (New Zealand) in the opening match scheduled for 3 p.m on January 31 while the clash between Holland and Germany is slated for 5.30 p.m under lights. On February 9, match for third and fourth positions will be played at 4.30 p.m and final at 7 p.m followed by prize distribution function.

The ad hoc committee of Indian Olympic Association has named a 22-member Indian team. The Team: Goalkeepers: Baljit Singh, Adrian D'Souza. Fullbacks: Dilip Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, V Raghunath. Midfielders: Gurbaj Singh, VS Vinaya, Sardara Singh, Vikram Pillay, Prabodh Tirkey, Vikas Pillay. Forwards: Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Prabhjot Singh, Deepak Thakur, Bharat Chhikara, Arjun Halappa, Shivendra Singh, SV Sunil, Ravi Pal Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Hari Prasad. Standbyes: PR Sreejesh, Bharat Chetri, William Xalxo, Samir Baxla, Ajitesh Rai, Ignace Tirkey, Senthil Kumar, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Birender Lakra, Bikas Toppo, Roshan Minz, Osaf ur Rehman. Officials: Harendra Singh (coach in charge); Ramandeep Singh (coach); Romeo James (coach); Srikant Iyengar (physiotherapist); MV Mathai (trainer).

PADAM VIBHUSHAN AWARD TO BE CONFERRED ON PROF J.S. BAJAJ FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICES IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Chandigarh January 25, 2009

The President of India will confer the prestigious Padam Vibhushan Award on Prof. J.S. Bajaj for his outstanding contribution towards the medical science and research besides planning for improving the health care delivery system.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that the name of Prof. Bajaj has been finalised by the GoI for this coveted honour. Prof. Bajaj was the first Punjabi and ninth Indian to be conferred upon this rare honour in the field of medicine and research.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and former Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia congratulated Prof. J.S. Bajaj for making Punjab proud for this honour.

It may be recalled that Professor J.S. Bajaj is presently Vice-Chairman, State Planning Board in the rank of Cabinet Minister. Earlier, he had served as Member (Health), Planning Commission, Government of India, in the rank of Minister of State (1991-98) and steered the development of national policy and plans for population stabilization, environmental and public health, nutrition and medical education. He joined the Faculty of the AIIMS in 1966, and subsequently occupied the Chair as Professor (1979) and Head of Medicine. Recognized as a physician and diabetologist of exceptional merit, he was appointed Honorary Physician to the President of India (1977-1982) and again from 1987-92. He also served the Prime Minister of India as Consultant Physician from 1991-96. He was the first biomedical scientist ever to have been appointed as Member, Planning Commission in 1991, and had the unique distinction of serving the Commission for a long duration of more than 7 years, with the privilege to serve three Prime Ministers, who Chaired the Planning Commission during his tenure as Member.

Professor Bajaj has been recipient of many distinctions, awards and honours, national and international. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London as well as of Edinburgh, and of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. He is a Founder Fellow of the Indian College of Physicians. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was decorated with Padma Shri by President of India in 1981, and with the coveted Padma Bhushan in 1982. Indeed, he is the first diabetologist and endocrinologist of India to be so honoured. The citation at the award of Padma Shri recognized his contribution to innovative approaches to health planning and stated : "….Prof. Bajaj has played a pioneering role in the conceptual planning and development of an alternate model of health care delivery system in Jammu and Kashmir which has made a discernible impact on the health and welfare of the people. His interactions with the health authorities in Paraguay, resulted in the initiation of a similar health care programme in that country……". The citation at the award of Padma Bhushan recognized his professional excellence as well as his contributions to medical education and biomedical research : "….Prof. J.S. Bajaj is an eminent physician, diabetologist and medical scientist of international repute. A leading research investigator in the field of diabetes, he has made original and outstanding contributions regarding the role of specific areas of the brain in the regulation of insulin release and glucose metabolism. His original research contributions, coupled with organizational leadership and conceptual planning of diabetes health care delivery systems, have won him several national and international awards.

RANIKE PERSUADES UNEMPLOYED VETERINARY PHARMACIST TO CALL OFF THEIR AGITATION ON DIRECTION OF PUNJAB CM

Chandigarh January 25, 2008

On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Animal Husbandry Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike was specially deputed to listen to the grievances of the representatives of the Punjab Unemployed veterinary pharmacist union at Bathinda who were sitting on a dharna in support of their demands.

While Interacting with the representatives of the union Mr. Ranike offered juice to one of their representative Gurpreet Singh and persuaded them to withdraw their agitation. He assured them on behalf of Chief Minister Punjab that all their genuine demands would conceded shortly. He reiterated the firm commitment of the CM Punjab that the state government was making concerted efforts to provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youth as per their qualifications according to availability of vacancies in the state.

Mr. Ranike categorically said that the justified demands of the union would be soon considered sympathetically at a meeting to be convened by the Chief Minister Punjab.