Is that all for Hockey in Kovilpatti??

To,

Mr. Mukul Chatterjee,

Director - Administration,

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports,

New Delhi.

Once a wellknown Hockey ground now

face pathetic problem in Kovilpatti

Sports loving people would know very well and definitelly accept Kovilpatti and Palayamkottai are the booster to the game of Hockey in Tamil Nadu State as like as Patiala and Jalandhar of Punjab State.

G.Kuppusamy Naidu Hockey Stadium in Kovilpatti was started and developed in earlier part of 1960's by Lakshmi Mills and Kovilpatti Sports Club. By this two organisations the Hockey Team was participated numerable events and became famouus in Tamil Nadu as well as in other parts of the country. Most of the sports loving persons in this region knew well about the rules of the Hockey game and have very much interested in participating or witnessing the All India G.K.Naidu Tournament.

The Hindu, a leading newspaper, in the edition dated 3rd June 1995 highlighted and give much importance about this G.K.Naidu Hocky Tournament and the Ground under the heading "Something to shout about ". Till now Hockey players and Athelitics are regularly practising in this Ground . All India Rajiv Gandhi Annual Hockey Tournament is conducted in this ground.

Now all this becoming sweet memories only. It is came to known that Mr. K. Selvaraj, former Regional Manager, Lakshmi Mills, who is the only present member of the G. Kuppusamy Naidu Trust has decided to sale this famous ground. This makes very disapppoinment of everyone in Kovilpatti. Some Anti - Social elements belonging in the Real Estate and Rice Mill field are very much interested to take over this ground and with the help of Mr. K.Selvaraj they smashed the outer wall and uprooted the trees and put a digital board to display that the association has arranged to provide alternate ground in som other far away place from the present location. All this people joined together to cheating the people.

Political parties specially CPI (M) stuggling hard and fight against to this evil force and try to recapture the ground with the support of Hockey lovers. Revenue Authorities of Kovilpatti handling this issue. The Hockey game players and lovers were very much interest to know about ithis matter.

This is the hightime that Govt. of Tamil Nadu and the Ministry of Youth Affairs to take immediate action in this matter and give new life to Hockey game. This is main wishes of Kovilpatti Hockey game lovers.

Please do the needful and take immediate action to save the Hockey Ground.

Thanking you,

With warm regards,

     Photo copy of The Hindu paper issue dt. 03.06.1995.