India to host Men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey for first time - Details here

By PTI News | First Published Apr 17, 2023, 3:42 PM IST

In a proud moment for Indian hockey, the nation is set to host the Men's Asian Champions Trophy for the first time, which will take place in Chennai between August 3-12.

India will host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament for the first time from August 3 to 12 in Chennai, with international matches returning to the city after 16 years. The seventh edition of the prestigious continental event, inaugurated in 2011, will serve as a precursor to the Asian Games hockey competition in Hangzhou, China, in September.

Asian hockey powerhouse, three-time champion Pakistan, and China have yet to confirm their participation in the tournament at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said hosting the event in the southern metropolis will help revive the sport in the region. "It is indeed a great pleasure and honour to host the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai, which was once the capital of hockey in South India with many reputed domestic and international events being held here," the minister said in Chennai on Monday.

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"I believe hosting the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here will further revive the sport in the region. Watching top teams in Asia will also inspire the younger generation to take up hockey as a career," Stalin added. Chennai last hosted an international hockey event in 2007 when the Asia Cup was held at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, where India clinched the title after beating Korea 7-2 in the final.

Organisers said Pakistan and China would confirm their participation by April 25. They said, "Adequate security would be provided if the Pakistan team participates in the event." Other teams in the tournament, held under the aegis of the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), will be defending champions South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

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India has also won the tournament three times (2011, 2016 and joint winner with Pakistan in 2018), while South Korea clinched the last edition title in 2021 in Dhaka. Hockey India (HI) Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said the national federation officials have already visited the venue in Chennai and noted the ongoing preparations for the tournament.

"Odisha has been the centre of major international hockey tournaments in recent years, but we are also keen on taking international matches to other states. Tamil Nadu has hosted many important Hockey India National Championships across various age groups in the past decade. With the support of all the stakeholders, we will have a successful and memorable event," Bhola Nath said. He said HI officials have already visited the tournament venue and noted the preparations.

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