India will host the Men’s Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7 and the Men’s World Cup in Chennai in December.
“The venues of these two international events have been finalized. We are planning everything, keeping in mind the World Cup qualification.” Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh stated.
Chennai will host the Junior Men’s World Cup later this year; the precise dates have not yet been disclosed.
India to host Junior Hockey World Cup for the fourth time
For the fourth time in its history, India has been chosen to host the coveted Junior Hockey World Cup.
The competition, which provides a crucial stage for up-and-coming talent, has seen India emerge as a major hockey powerhouse.
India has demonstrated its dedication to fostering junior hockey and developing future players by hosting the Junior World Cup in New Delhi in 2013, Lucknow in 2016, and Bhubaneswar in 2021.
The most recent Junior World Cup took place in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A historic change has been made: 24 countries will compete in the 2025 Junior World Cup, a major increase from the previous 16-team format.
In order to give more nations an opportunity to display their talent on the international scene, this reform seeks to promote greater inclusion and competitiveness.
Also Read: https://worldinfo.news/2024/12/17/acc-u-19-womens-asia-cup-2024-nepal-vs-india/
Importance of the Asia Cup for India’s World Cup qualification
India has a long history of hockey success, particularly on the global scene.
India’s sole World Cup victory occurred in 1975, when they overcame Pakistan in a thrilling final to win their first and only World Cup under the captaincy of Ajit Pal Singh.
For the Indian hockey squad led by Craig Fulton, the forthcoming eight-team Asia Cup is extremely important because it is a significant qualifying route for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, which Belgium and the Netherlands will jointly host.
With outstanding results in recent years, especially at the Olympics, India has been experiencing a comeback in international hockey.
Their capacity to compete at the top level was demonstrated when they won bronze in the most recent two Olympic Games (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020).
India’s performance in the Asia Cup hockey tournaments in the past
Due to their straight qualification as hosts for the forthcoming Hockey World Cups in 2018, held in Bhubaneswar, and 2023, held in Odisha , India was exempt from competing in the 2017 and 2022 Asia Cups.
India’s automatic qualification for these World Cups as the host country diminished the importance of the Asia Cup competitions during those days.
India’s backup team did a fantastic job at the most recent Asia Cup, which was held in Jakarta in 2023, and won a bronze medal.
Despite fielding a combination of young and seasoned players, they managed to secure a podium place, which was very significant and demonstrated the depth of Indian hockey talent.
India is hosting the Asia Cup for the first time since Chennai in 2007, making this year a historic occasion.
For India, the Asia Cup has long been an important competition, particularly when it comes to earning World Cup qualifying.
With a chance to earn a straight sport in the next World Cup, hosting the tournament after a 16-year break gives India another chance to demonstrate their abilities at home and pursue continental dominance.
Woww