New Delhi, June 22 (IANS): Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday distributed over 1,200 hockey sticks to its permanent member units across different regions in the country, as part of the Olympic Day celebrations.

Assam Hockey, Hockey Bihar, Chhattisgarh Hockey, Delhi Hockey, Hockey Gujarat, Hockey Haryana, Hockey Himachal, Hockey Jammu & Kashmir, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Karnataka, Kerala Hockey, Hockey Maharashtra, Manipur Hockey, Hockey Odisha, Hockey Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and Hockey Uttarakhand are the permanent member units affiliated to HI.

Around the world, national Olympic associations and their members hold special celebrations to commemorate the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Movement by Pierre de Coubertain in 1894.

With just over a month to go for the Rio Olympics, the Indian men's hockey team's recent silver medal in the Champions Trophy has raised the expectations of the billion fans for a podium finish. 

This year's Olympic Games are even more special for the country given the women's team qualification after a long wait of 36 years.

Speaking on the occasion, HI Secretary General Mohd. Mushtaque Ahmad said, "This is an important year for athletes around the world as it's the Olympic year. While we would like to wish every athlete preparing for the Olympics in India the very best on behalf of HI, we would also like to urge more children and adults to involve themselves in sports for a healthy living."

"We would also like to thank our member units for garnering their support and working towards the welfare of hockey in the country," he added.