The decision of the Indian Hockey Federation not to allow the players from the ongoing national camp at Bangalore in preparation for the Sydney Olympics to play for their respective teams sparked the Indian Airlines pull out since a majority of its players are attending the camp. However, the who's who of Indian hockey will be present at the tourney as the federation decided to field two teams -- IHF XI and IHF Juniors XI -- comprising the campers.

Speaking to media on Monday night, organising secretary Vijay Kumar said that eight teams would be participating in the nine-day tournament which would also provide the much-needed practice for the Indian team before it leaves for the tour of South Africa next month. Four teams form each pool and the top two will play knockout semifinals after the leaguestage.

President of MCC TT Ashok said: ``It was decided to name the winners trophy as MCC-AMM Arunachalam Challenge Cup in memory of our beloved first Indian president of the club late Mr AMM Arunachalam.''

The tournament offers a prize money of one lakh with the winners taking home Rs.60,000 and runners-up Rs.40,000 besides other awards.

A Vellayan, MD, Tube Investments of India Limited, a member of Murugappa Group said that the sponsors who were associated with the game for the last 75 years were looking forward to increase their support to hockey. He hinted that the group might start a hockey academy in the City but hastened to add that ``the idea is yet to take shape'' since the talks with the federation have not yet begun.

All the matches will be held in the afternoon with Karnataka XI crossing swords with Air India in the inaugural match. July 8 will be a rest day before the semifinals and the championship match will take place on July 10.