Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup” Is Not Just A Hockey Tournament But A Part Of Bhopal’s Heritage

“Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup” Is Not Just A Hockey Tournament But A Part Of Bhopal’s Heritage

The Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament Committee recently met to discuss preparations for the upcoming tournament. Here’s what you need to know.

• Tournament Legacy: The Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup is one of India’s most historic hockey tournaments, attracting top teams from across the country. It was first held in 1931 and has produced many international players.
• Venue: The tournament will be held at the historic Aishbagh Stadium in Bhopal, which is currently undergoing renovations. The committee inspected the stadium grounds to evaluate existing facilities and propose necessary enhancements.
• Committee Members: The committee comprises distinguished figures from Indian hockey, including:
  • Mr Abdul Ghafoor Khan: International player and former Air India station manager in Bhopal
  • Mr Mehboob Khan: Asian Games silver medallist
  • Mr Samir Dad: Chief coach of the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and Olympian from the Sydney Games
  • Mr Anjum Rehman: Retired State Bank of India manager and national player
  • Mr Aslam Sher Khan: Former Union minister and member of India’s 1975 World Cup-winning squad
• Preparations: The committee met with the Director of Sports, Madhya Pradesh government, to discuss logistical and infrastructural needs. They aim to uphold the tournament’s legacy while ensuring the best possible conditions for players and spectators.
• Previous Winners: In 2022, Indian Railways won the Obaidullah Khan Heritage Cup by defeating Army XI 2-0 in the final match held at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Bhopal. The winner’s prize money was Rs 11 lakh, with plans to increase it to Rs 51 lakh in subsequent years.