page_title: Sports in Maharashtra
section_title: Field hockey
hierarchical_section_title: Sports in Maharashtra / Field hockey
caption_attribution_description: English: Snap of Mr. Nimal
context_page_description: Sports is an important part of the culture of Maharashtra. Kabaddi, Hockey, Kho kho, Badminton, Cricket and Table tennis are the popular sports of Maharashtra.
  The Sporting activities in Maharashtra are governed by the Commissionerate of Sports and Youth Services, Pune.
  The wrestling championship like Hind Kesari, Maharashtra Kesari are very popular in the rural regions of Maharashtra. The cricket craze can be seen throughout Maharashtra, as it is the most widely followed and played sport. Maharashtra has produced many Iconic cricketers to India like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. Games pike Viti-Dandu and Pakada-pakadi are also played by kids in Maharashtra. Horse riding, Wrestling, Fencing, Archery and Shooting were popular among the rulers of Maharashtra. Maharashtra has various domestic level Franchise based leagues for Hockey, Chess, Tennis and Badminton.
context_section_description: Field Hockey is one of the more popular sports in the state. Many Maharashtrian hockey players have also contributed to India's rich hockey legacy. Tushar Khandekar is referred to as 'the Goal Poacher'. Hiranna M. Nimal was the silver medalist at Asian Games, 1962 and also represented many other National and International Leagues. Some notable hockey stars from Maharashtra include Dhanraj Pillay, Viren Rasquinha. Maharashtra have three hockey clubs playing for different leagues and one defunct club,the Maratha Warriors hockey team from Maharashtra that competed in the now defunct Premier Hockey League. Mumbai Magicians (MM)  team based in Mumbai that plays in the Hockey India League. Mumbai Marines (MM) initially known as Mumbai Warriors a team based in Mumbai and Pune Strykers (PS) is a team based in Pune, that plays in the World Series Hockey.
  PCMC Hockey Stadium a field hockey stadium in Pune which serves as the home ground for Pune Strykers, for World Series Hockey. Mahindra Hockey Stadium at Mumbai is the home of the Mumbai Marines of the World Series Hockey and Mumbai Magicians of the Hockey India League. It was also the home venue of the Maratha Warriors in the Premier Hockey League. The stadium was formerly known as the Bombay Hockey Association Stadium and hosted the 1982 Men's Hockey World Cup. Domestic tournaments such as All India Bombay Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and All India Aagha Khan Hockey Tournament is popular in Maharashtra . Approximately 30 tournaments from Junior to Senior level are held across Pune in a calendar year.
caption: Hiranna M. Nimal was the silver medalist at Asian Games, 1962
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