Chennai, October 17, 2026: Indira Gandhi Memorial Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Madurai secured a hat-trick win at the 4th MCC-Murugappa Tamil Nadu U-17 Boys Schools Hockey Tournament 2026. In the final match against St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Chennai they scored 7- 4 to one up their opponents, beating them at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium today.
Marking a historic milestone was the debut of the inaugural U-17 Girls’ Inter-Schools Hockey Tournament, featuring four teams representing Karnambut, Virudhunagar, Pudukkottai, and Erode. Kshatriya Girls Higher Secondary School, Virudhunagar emerged as the winners of the category, defeating St. Joseph’s Girls School Higher Secondary School, Pudukottai with a score of 6 – 0.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Mr P Prashanth, Business Unit Head, TI Cycles of India, Murugappa Group said, “This year is especially significant as we welcome girls’ teams to the tournament for the very first time, with four teams representing different districts across Tamil Nadu. It is heartening to see the platform grow and create equal opportunities for young athletes to compete, learn and excel.”
He further added, “Hockey, like life, is a team game. It tests how you handle pressure, how you respond when things don’t go your way, and how you stand by a teammate when mistakes happen. Whether on the field or in the workplace, teamwork, discipline and trust make the difference. Play hard, stand together, fight for one another, and accept both victory and defeat with grace.”
Mr Karthik Rajasekhar, President, MCC said, “MCC, as we all know, has been at the forefront of supporting sport in Chennai, staying true to our motto that sport is a way of life. I would like to thank the Murugappa Group for its continued support of this tournament, and particularly for this initiative for school students, who are our future champions. My congratulations to the winners and runners-up of today’s schools’ tournament, and to every team that participated with such enthusiasm and sporting spirit.”
This year’s boys tournament featured eight teams with four teams from Chennai and four teams from other districts in Tamil Nadu including Madurai, Hosur, Karnambut and Tirunelveli. The league matches were held on October 14 and 15, with the semi-finals and finals taking place on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Four Hercules bicycles from TI Cycles of India were presented to the following players:
- Best Forward: Robert Stanly from MN Abdur Rahman Higher Secondary School
- Best Goalkeeper: Abisheck A from Indira Gandhi Memorial Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Most Promising Player: Kalaiarasan P from St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School
- Player of the Match: Viyash Seiva Pandian from Indira Gandhi Memorial Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Madurai.
The girls’ league matches were held on October 15 and 16, with the finals taking place on October 17 alongside the boys’ final.
Four BSA bicycles from TI Cycles of India were presented to the following players:
- Best Forward: Swathi G from Kshatriya Girls Higher Secondary School, Virudhunagar
- Best Goalkeeper: Ranjini C from Kshatriya Girls Higher Secondary School
- Most Promising Player: T K Moanamozhi from Vellore Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Karnambat
- Player of the Match: Yokitha R from St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School, Pudukottai
As part of this year’s MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, ‘Plant a Goal’, a sustainability initiative successfully introduced last year will continue to drive our green commitment. Under this initiative, 20 saplings will be planted for every goal scored during the tournament. With 205 goals scored during the schools’ tournament, 4,100 saplings will be planted. This initiative symbolises the Group’s commitment to environmental responsibility, linking the excitement of the game with a lasting ecological impact. The trees will be planted at Tharuvaikulam village in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with the support of local communities.
The 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament 2026 will be held from October 22 to November 1, 2026. This will see participation from 10 teams pooled across two groups.
Livestreamed finale matches can be viewed here:
U-17 Boys Inter-Schools Hockey Tournament 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3H6pKkzrsI
U-17 Girls Inter-Schools Hockey Tournament 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUAkJwolZ8
About MCC and the tournament
The Madras Cricket Club is one of the premier sports institutions in the country, which organises major national-level tournaments in the disciplines of tennis, squash, cricket, badminton, billiards and hockey.
Originally started as the Madras Challenge Cup in 1901 and later named the AMM Arunachalam Challenge Cup after the first Indian President of Madras Cricket Club, this is the 97th edition of the tournament which along with Murugappa Group in the mid-90s was named MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament. From the early days, this tournament has been the premier hockey event in South India and one of the major competitions in the country attracting top teams and talent.
This tournament has been keenly observed by coaches and administrators for picking talent to represent the country. As the Madras Cricket Club, we are proud to be associated with the All India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and to be the only sporting club in India to host an event of such magnitude.
About Murugappa Group
A 126-year-old conglomerate with presence across India and the world, the INR 1,056 billion (₹105,582 crore) Murugappa Group has diverse businesses in agriculture, engineering, financial services and more.
The Group has 10 listed companies: Carborundum Universal Limited, CG Power & Industrial Solutions Limited, Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Limited, Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Limited, Coromandel International Limited, E.I.D.-Parry (India) Limited, NACL Industries Limited, Shanthi Gears Limited, Tube Investments of India Limited, and Wendt (India) Limited. Other major companies include Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited and Parry Agro Industries Limited. Brands such as Ajax, Hercules, BSA, Montra, Montra Electric, Mach City, Chola, Chola MS, CG Power, CG Semi, Shanthi Gears, CUMI, Gromor, Paramfos, Parry’s are part of the Group’s illustrious stable.
Abrasives, technical ceramics, electrominerals, electric vehicles, auto components, fans, transformers, signalling equipment for railways, bicycles, fertilisers, sugar, tea, and several other products make up the Group’s business interests.
Guided by the Five lights — integrity, passion, quality, respect, and responsibility — and a culture of professionalism, the Group has a workforce of 1,06,224 employees.
