New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS): Hockey India (HI) Wednesday inducted Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) as its Hoc-Key Member.

Being one of the oldest associations of its kind and catering to the sports needs of over 60,000 school children from over 360 schools in Mumbai every year, MSSA, formerly known as Bombay High Schools Athletic Association, was founded by Dorabji Jamshedji Tata in 1893 with the Tata Shield for Inter-School Athletic Meet.

The 113-year-old Junior Aga Khan Hockey Inter School Tournament has also been conducted by MSSA since 1901. The MSSA conducts tournaments in more than 20 disciplines at the grassroots level.

“It is a prestigious moment to be associated with the 121-year-old association, founded by a legendary sports enthusiast Sir Dorabji Jamshedji Tata," HI secretary general Narinder Batra said.

"The induction of MSSA in HI is a big boost for our projects being promoted at grassroot levels as their glorious history and reach in every school in Mumbai will help HI to connect with young players and identify talents at an early stage."

Batra added that MSSA now can also avail HI facilities and coaching clinics during their hockey tournaments.

Jude Rodrigues is the present director of MSSA.

HI now has 26 Permanent Members, 23 Associate Members, one Member through State Olympic Associations, nine Academy Members and two Hoc-Key Members.