Hardeep Singh Puri Flags Off 5th Hockey India Senior Women’s Inter-Department Championship in Delhi

New Delhi, September 29, 2025 – Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the 5th Hockey India Senior Women’s Inter-Department National Championship 2025 at Shivaji Stadium on Monday evening. The opening ceremony drew senior officials including Indian Oil Chairman A.S. Sahney, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey, federation members, coaches, and excited schoolchildren.

In his address, Puri praised the longstanding role of Indian Oil and other oil marketing companies in promoting sports while driving India’s economic growth. He noted that these enterprises have consistently supported athletes striving for national and international excellence.

Reflecting on Indian hockey’s legacy, the Minister recalled legends such as Harbinder Singh, Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh, M.M. Somaya and Rajinder Singh, whose feats inspired him as a young fan. Puri lauded the rise of women’s hockey, citing stars like Rani Rampal, Pritam Rani Siwach, Savita Punia and Vandana Katariya for elevating India’s global standing and motivating a new generation of players.

He highlighted that the values behind success in governance—teamwork, discipline and fair play—are equally essential on the field. Congratulating all 11 participating teams, Puri urged them to compete with spirit and sportsmanship, saying the event should be remembered “for the dreams it sparks and the friendships it builds.”

Puri also emphasized the government’s strong push for sports under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing to initiatives such as Khelo India, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Fit India Movement. Enhanced infrastructure and special focus on women’s sports, he said, have enabled Indian athletes to achieve record results in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

The championship will feature eleven departmental teams vying for top honors, promising high-energy matches and a showcase of India’s growing women’s hockey talent.