7th Air Marshal Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament begins in Bengaluru
Bengaluru, June 23
As a part of the 107th Birth Anniversary of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh DFC, the 7th edition of the Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament-2026 is being organised by Air Force Sports Control Board at Air Force Station Jalahalli from June 23 to July 3.
A total of 16 Teams will be participating in this tournament, as per a release from the Ministry of Defence.
The Opening Ceremony was held on 23 Jun 26 at the Hockey ground, Air Force Station Jalahalli. Air Marshal S Sivakumar, VSM, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA), was the Chief Guest during the ceremony, who declared the tournament open.
The Opening match was played between the Indian Air Force and Indian Army, Southern Command Bengaluru teams. The Indian Air Force team won the match by 2-0.
Agniveer Vinayak Santosh Hande was declared the Man of the Match. The Chief Guest presented a cheque of Rs 25,000/- to the Man of the Match.
Various cultural programmes were also showcased during the opening of the tournament.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest said, "We are delighted to be back with the Marshal of the Arjan Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament, which is the most prestigious tournament in the country. This tournament will provide a platform for the elite hockey teams of the country. Indian Air Force will ensure that no stone is left unturned in the smooth conduct of the tournament."
The conduct of this Hockey Tournament is a befitting tribute to the Air Force legend in an admirable way to express gratitude towards his contribution to the nation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Wonderful to see our forces promoting sports besides duty. These tournaments bring out the best in our jawans. IAF winning 2-0 against Army is a good start. But I wish more civilian teams were involved - that would truly make it a national event.
Marshal Arjan Singh was a true legend - I remember reading about his bravery in the 1965 war. This tournament is a fitting tribute that mixes national pride with sportsmanship. Thumbs up to the IAF for keeping his legacy alive through hockey! 🇮🇳
The cultural programmes during the opening ceremony sound awesome! Would love to see more coverage of these events on Doordarshan or YouTube. Our armed forces have so much talent beyond just combat. Also, Agniveer Hande - what a star! Being the first Man of the Match at just 21.
Heartwarming to see the IAF honouring a legend through hockey. My grandfather was in the IAF and he always spoke of Arjan Singh with utmost respect. This tournament is so important for youth - it shows that patriotism and sports go hand in hand. Would love to attend next year!
Good event overall but I wish the tournament was a bit longer - 10 days only? This is a memorial tournament for a national hero like Arjan Singh. It should be at least 2-3 weeks for teams to showcase their full potential. Also, why no live telecast? Many of us would love to watch.
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