Chennai, Aug 30 (IANS) The prestigious All-India MCC Murugappa Cup hockey tournament stages a comeback after a two-year absence with nine teams in the fray at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here Sep 4-14.”The event was not held last year due to tight schedule of domestic events and the busy programme of the Indian teams. The Murugappa Group of Companies has increased the prize money to Rs. 1.5 lakh (Rs.150,000) for the winners and Rs. 1 lakh (Rs.100,000) for runners-up,” said Arun Murugappan, managing director of the group firm Parry Enterprises India Limited.

In all, 10 teams, including defending champions BPCL, have been invited.

Murugappan said the tournament has been categorised as a Grade A competition.

The 10 teams have been divided into two pools of five for the preliminary league. The top two finishers in each pool will advance to the semifinals.

The Pools:
Pool A: Indian Oil Corporation, Karnataka XI, Mumbai XI, Indian Railways and Indian Overseas Bank.

Pool B: Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Air India, Namdhari XI, Sports Hostel (Orissa) and Army XI.