The MCC-Murugappa
Gold Cup Hockey
Tournament
The MCC-Murugappa
Gold Cup Hockey
Tournament
About the Hockey Tournament
The MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup is one of India’s most prestigious hockey
tournaments, with a history spanning more than a century.
The beginning
Originally named the Madras Challenge Cup in 1901 by the Madras
Cricket Club (MCC), the tournament was renamed the A.M.M.
Arunachalam Challenge Cup to honour the first Indian President
of the MCC.
The beginning
Originally named the Madras Challenge Cup in 1901 by the Madras
Cricket Club (MCC), the tournament was renamed the A.M.M.
Arunachalam Challenge Cup to honour the first Indian President
of the MCC.
The beginning
Originally named the Madras Challenge Cup in 1901 by the Madras
Cricket Club (MCC), the tournament was renamed the A.M.M.
Arunachalam Challenge Cup to honour the first Indian President
of the MCC.
The beginning
Originally named the Madras Challenge Cup in 1901 by the Madras
Cricket Club (MCC), the tournament was renamed the A.M.M.
Arunachalam Challenge Cup to honour the first Indian President
of the MCC.
Inception of the Gold Cup
The Murugappa Group first became involved in hockey
in 1962 when the First Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
was conducted to commemorate the 61st birthday of Shri A.M.M.
Murugappa Chettiar. Organised by his daughter, Smt. Valliammai
Lakshmanan, the event was managed by the TI Cycles Sports and
Recreation Club.
Inception of the Gold Cup
The Murugappa Group first became involved in hockey
in 1962 when the First Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
was conducted to commemorate the 61st birthday of Shri A.M.M.
Murugappa Chettiar. Organised by his daughter, Smt. Valliammai
Lakshmanan, the event was managed by the TI Cycles Sports and
Recreation Club.
Inception of the Gold Cup
The Murugappa Group first became involved in hockey
in 1962 when the First Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
was conducted to commemorate the 61st birthday of Shri A.M.M.
Murugappa Chettiar. Organised by his daughter, Smt. Valliammai
Lakshmanan, the event was managed by the TI Cycles Sports and
Recreation Club.
Inception of the Gold Cup
The Murugappa Group first became involved in hockey
in 1962 when the First Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
was conducted to commemorate the 61st birthday of Shri A.M.M.
Murugappa Chettiar. Organised by his daughter, Smt. Valliammai
Lakshmanan, the event was managed by the TI Cycles Sports and
Recreation Club.
By 1965, the Madras Hockey Association organised the second edition of the tournament, and the Tube Products of India – Sports and Recreation Club in collaboration with the association conducted the third edition in 1967.
The tournament became a national-level competition in 1970, opening the doors for teams from all over India to compete. This marked a turning point, transforming the event from a regional corporate competition into one of national significance.
Two legacies merge
In the mid-1980s, the tournament adopted its current name, the MCC-
Murugappa Gold Cup, reflecting the Murugappa Group’s deep-rooted
association with the sport. After the 14th edition in 1985, the
tournament experienced an 11-year hiatus, resuming in 1996 through
the efforts of hockey enthusiasts like K.R. Subramaniam (Mani) and
Muneer Sait, a former national and international player. Their passion
and commitment brought the tournament back to life, and it has
continued to thrive ever since.
Over the years, the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup has seen
participation from some of the country’s legendary players,
including Dhanraj Pillai, V.Bhaskaran, Munir Sait, Mohammed
Riyaz, and several other Olympians.
Coaches and administrators often observe this tournament
closely to identify and recruit talent for the Indian national team.
In addition to the senior tournament, the MCC-Murugappa Tamil
Nadu U-17 Boys School Hockey Tournament was launched to
promote hockey at the grassroots level. Three editions of the
Schools Tournament have been held so far.
The 96th edition
This year’s MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup featured several new initiatives:
An international team
took part for the first
time
A sustainability initiative
called Plant a Goal was
created, where 10 trees
were planted for every
goal scored
Video referrals were
introduced, a first in a
national tournament
All matches were
livestreamed on the
Murugappa Group
YouTube channel
A school team from
Nellikuppam, Cuddalore,
promoted by EID Parry,
took part in the Schools
Tournament
Champions
of the MCC-Murugappa
Gold Cup Hockey
Tournament
2025
The Indian Railways
2024
The Indian Railways
Moments of the Gold Cup
A look at the 96th All India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament
The All India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament 2025: Celebrating Sporting Excellence
A Golden Legacy | Indian Hockey Excellence
The All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament 2024: A Legacy of Excellence
Road to 100 – The journey
to the centenary year
In 2025, the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament launched
a YouTube series where eminent stakeholders of the tournament shared
their visions for the centenary edition.
Road to 100 | MCC Murugappa Gold Cup | History In Motion
Road to 100 | Mr. M.M. Murugappan | Chairman, CUMI & Chola MS
Road to 100 | Mr. Arun Murugappan | Executive Chairman, Tube Investments of India
Road to 100 | Mr. Jeeva Balakrishnan, President & CHRO, Chola
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