Suniel Shetty promotes Indian hockey

Suniel Shetty and other stars will host a charity event. Their goal? The benefit of India's national sport. Suniel Shetty along with other other B-Town stars will host a charity event for the national sport of India hockey in Chandigarh on February 20.

Shetty, who is also the brand ambassador of the sport says, "I have been fighting for the cause of hockey for a long time. Now the AMR Sports Foundation (founded by industrialist A Mahesh Reddy) has come forward to host such an event. It's great that someone is coming forward for sports in India (other than cricket). I will give my right arm to support it and will also seek the same kind of support from our film fraternity."

The funds raised from the event will go to the Indian hockey team. Shetty adds, "If the new hockey federation asks us to be there for them, we will give our support through and through." Apparently, many biggies from B-Town have assured Shetty of their participation for a charity match between celebrities and 22 members of the national hockey team. Govinda and Riteish Deshmukh have confirmed their participation.

Many stars have also committed to come for the hockey World Cup matches that begin in India from February onwards. Sunil and the SMR Sports Foundation plan to get many celebrities for matches to cheer the Indian team. For the first World Cup hockey match in Delhi, many B-Town stars have committed their presence. The AMRSS is giving some funds and taking care of players."

Anshul Nagar from the AMR group says, "The idea is to support the Indian hockey team. The charity match decided is the brainchild of Sunil and Reddy. We are doing many things for Indian cricketers but nobody is doing anything for hockey. It was an emotional call to do whatever little we could. Whatever money we raise from the charity match in Chandigarh will be given directly to the hockey players.

We are not dealing with any federation. The national squad has confirmed their participation. It's also thanks to ex-hockey player Mr Hardeep Sandhu. It was at his initiative that the whole idea was generated. It's not just B-Town stars but big TV stars, sports stars like Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh who are all committed to attend. It's a noble cause. Nobody has done it before."

It is still not clear if Chak De! India star Shahrukh Khan will be present. Nagar concludes, "Indian hockey captain Rajpal Singh has sent him a personal invite. It would be great if he attended. His character Kabir Khan made hockey popular. With SRK's presence, the match would become much bigger."