A depleted field

Both the men and women events offer average fare. The men8217;s is hampered by the absence of Tisco, Punjab Police, Vijaya Bank, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu teams Indian Bank and Indian Overseas Bank. In women8217;s, the best outfit in the country Central Railway is participating. But in the absence of Eastern Railway and Southern Railway, they face opposition only from the other local team Western Railway.

What comes as a surprise is the absence ofnational runner-up Maharashtra from the women8217;s event. Organising secretary Abdul Hamid Khan, an Arjuna Awardee and former international, explained, 8220;I was already committed to invite Delhi and Punjab, and therefore could not accommodate the state team.8221; He said lack of funds did not permit them to include a sixth women8217;s team. The winning teams will receive Rs 10,000 each, while the runners-up will get Rs 5,000 apiece.

Participating teams: Men: Western Railway Ajmer, Delhi, South Central Railway Secunderabad, ONGC, Maharashtra State, South East District including Central Railway

Women: Central Railway, Western Railway, South Central Railway Secunderabad, Delhi, Punjab.