Hardeep Singh Puri Inaugurates 5th Hockey India Senior Women’s Inter-Department National Championship 2025

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, inaugurated the 5th Hockey India Senior Women’s Inter-Department National Championship 2025 at Shivaji Stadium, New Delhi today. The event witnessed the presence of Indian Oil Chairman A.S. Sahney, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey, members of the Hockey India Federation, coaches, support staff, and enthusiastic students from various schools.

In his address, Puri highlighted the long-standing association of Indian Oil and other Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) with the promotion of sports in India. He emphasized that these companies have not only contributed significantly to the country’s economy but have also nurtured and supported athletes to excel at both national and international levels.

Recalling India’s rich hockey legacy, the Minister fondly remembered stalwarts such as Harbinder Singh, Zafar Iqbal, Ajitpal Singh, M.M. Somaya, and Rajinder Singh, whose journeys inspired generations of sports lovers, including himself. He also lauded the rise of Indian women’s hockey on the global stage, commending players like Rani Rampal, Pritam Rani Siwach, Savita Punia, and Vandana Katariya for bringing glory to the nation and serving as role models for aspiring athletes.

Puri stressed that the values driving success in governance, diplomacy, and professional life—discipline, teamwork, and fair play—are equally vital in sports. He expressed confidence that the championship would inspire more young women to embrace hockey and contribute to India’s sporting achievements.

The Minister further underlined that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sports have been placed at the core of youth empowerment and nation-building. Flagship initiatives such as Khelo India, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and the Fit India Movement have created a robust ecosystem for athletes. Investments in sports infrastructure and focused attention on women’s participation, he said, are yielding remarkable results at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.

Concluding his speech, Puri extended best wishes to the 11 participating teams, encouraging them to play with passion, discipline, and sportsmanship. “May this championship be remembered not just for victories on the field, but for the dreams it sparks, the friendships it builds, and the progress it inspires,” he said.