Indian sports taking over as 50th tournament starts in city

When it comes to Indian sports, cricket usually comes to mind. But this Queen's Birthday weekend it will be netball, football and hockey.

The 50th annual New Zealand Indian sports tournament gets under way in Rotorua tomorrow.

A total of 21 Indian teams from eight different regions will compete.

Up for grabs is the honour of winning the tournament which is being hosted by the Bay of Plenty Indian Sports Club.

The tournament was first held in Wellington in 1963.

The hockey is being held at Smallbone Park hockey turf, with 12 men's and four women's teams taking part. Bay of Plenty have a men and women's team participating.

The first game gets underway at 8.45am, with semifinals on Monday from 8.30am.

In the men's A section, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Pukekohe, North Harbour and Bay of Plenty compete for the Dhyan Chand Trophy. Last year's winners, Auckland, will be out to repeat.

Wellington and a resurgent Christchurch are always strong. However, it will be interesting for Bay of Plenty who won the B section last year and are playing with home town support.

In the men's B section, it will be a tight contest with Central Districts, Wellington, Auckland, Waikato, Pukekohe and North Harbour all competing for honours. Waikato and Central Districts are favourites for this division.

In the women's draw, Auckland are the defending champions and they will play against Pukekohe, Wellington and North Harbour.

Auckland were too good last year, although Wellington and Pukekohe always push their rivals.

Tournament organiser Janti Sima said the tournament was a great way for the Indian communities from around the country to keep in contact with one another in a safe and healthy environment.

He said there was a lot of friendly rivalry and skill shown and he was expecting it to be a great weekend.

The tournament will be open to the public with a hospitality tent selling Indian food.

For the first time Bay of Plenty would be entering a football team in the tournament with Auckland providing two teams, said Sima.

The football will be at Ray Boord Park.

There was only two netball teams (Auckland and Waikato) taking part in the tournament, at Rotorua Girls' High School.