Pune, March 5 – Pune is set to welcome a range of national and international stars in the 41st edition of the prestigious PSPB Inter-Unit Hockey Tournament, to be held at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri.
The tournament is being organized under the aegis of the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), bringing together leading Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) from across India to compete in the true spirit of sportsmanship and excellence.
This year, the tournament in Pune is being hosted by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), under the leadership of Deepak Jain, Chief General Manager, Sports, BPCL.
Notably, this will be the first time the tournament is being played under floodlights. The last event held under ‘floodlights’ was the 14th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship, which took place in March 2025.
A total of four teams – Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and Engineers India Limited (EIL) – will compete for top honors using an "all-play-all" format. The first match is scheduled to begin on Thursday at 7:30 PM IST.
The tournament will take place from Thursday, with the final scheduled for the evening of March 8.
The previous edition was won by BPCL, led by 2016 Olympian and Maharashtra captain, Devindar Walmiki, while IPCL were the runners-up.
Speaking at the event, Deepak Jain said, “Over the years, the PSPB Hockey Tournament has earned a reputation as one of India's most respected institutional hockey championships, showcasing top-tier talent from across the country.”
Jain added, “Hosting the 41st PSCB in Pune is a matter of immense pride for BPCL, as this distinguished platform showcases Olympians who elevate the tournament and bring glory to their companies. The championship not only celebrates India's national sport but also reinforces BPCL's continued commitment to enhancing competition and offering thrilling encounters for hockey enthusiasts.”
He added, "BPCL supports sporting excellence and the promotion of hockey at the institutional and national levels. This event stands as a proud sporting moment for both Pune and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in bringing top-level hockey action to the city."
This year's edition promises high-intensity action, featuring several prominent Indian hockey stars, including Tushar Khandker, Devindar Walmiki, and Birendra Lakra, among others. Their presence is expected to significantly enhance the game.