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India Gazette
21-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"This is very good thing for future of our players": Hockey India secretary signs MoU with Amity University Online
By Shaurya Dutt Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 21 (ANI): Hockey India (HI) general secretary Bhola Nath Singh expressed his happiness after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Amity University Online (AUO) and Hockey India. The MoU aims to provide better educational opportunities for hockey players at the international, national, and state levels. Speaking about the MoU, Bhola Nath told ANI, 'This is a very good thing for the future of our players. Those who are good at sports now have a very good opportunity in their studies as they can study online because of practice, camp, because they don't have time, because they couldn't study in college or school, or they couldn't go to college. They can study online directly from Amity University and get their degrees.' He added, 'I am telling you one thing that there are many players who cannot get promotions due to their studies. You must be seeing that the level at which they should get their promotion, they cannot get it. So now the players don't have to think about it.' Bhola Nath also thanked Amity University chairman Ajit Chauhan for this initiative, saying, 'They can study online directly from here and get their degrees. Now they won't have any problem with that. So now our players will play openly, and they will play well. When they get time, they study online. A very big day has started for them today at Amity University. For this, I would like to thank Amity University chairman Ajit Chauhan and his entire team on behalf of India.' This partnership supports the overall growth of sportspersons by allowing them to continue their education without affecting their sports careers, according to a Hockey India press release. Under this agreement, Amity University Online will offer a special scholarship program designed for athletes. This program understands the difficulties players face in balancing sports and studies and aims to support them in achieving both. Along with up to 100 per cent scholarships through the CHAMPS initiative (Celebrating Heroes with Amity Merit Program Scholarships), Amity University Online also offers free access to a three-month Certificate Course in Sports Psychology to help improve players' mental strength and performance. The MoU was signed by Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India, and Ajit Chauhan, Chairman of Amity University Online. The signing was witnessed by Sekar J Manoharan, Treasurer of Hockey India, and senior officials from Amity University in Noida. The event also marked the formal enrollment of Indian Women's Hockey Team Captain Salima Tete and defender Jyoti into Amity University Online's Sociology and MBA Marketing programs, respectively. They are the first two players to benefit from this collaboration. (ANI)
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Hockey India awaits government guidelines for Asia Cup; no decision yet on Pakistan's participation
Amid reports of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) seeking visa guarantees for the upcoming Asia Cup, Hockey India (HI) made it clear on Tuesday that the nation comes first and the federation would abide by the government's advice on the matter. 'As of now, there have neither been any talks with the government nor any guideline or advisory from them. There is enough time at the moment, the Asia Cup is three months away and as and when something comes from the government, we will act accordingly,' HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said on the sidelines of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amity University Online (AUO) here. Singh, who is also an Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) vice-president, insisted that there had been no discussion at the continental level either on the issue. 'I am with the AHF and HI but I am also an Indian and the country comes first. We have ambitious plans including hosting the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics but let the Indian government first say something, only then we can respond,' he added. Accommodate more European players Singh also announced that the 2026 season of the Hockey India League (HIL) will commence on January 5 to accommodate more players from Europe while categorically denying there were any pending players' dues from the previous season. HI has opened player registration for the forthcoming season and Singh said the decision was taken to avoid clashing with Christmas holidays which forced several players to skip the tournament when the HIL began on December 28. 'We want maximum participation and have decided to move the competition by a week. I can also confirm that there will be eight men and six women's teams. As for payments, all my players have got their dues cleared, there is nothing pending to my knowledge and any such reports are wrong. Discussions are also ongoing with the franchises and we will take a final decision on the venues depending on the suitability for everyone.' Singh, however, refused to say anything on Team Gonasika pulling out and about the possible replacements. Sources added that a trading window will be announced after the player registration period is over on August 20 to allow franchises to rework their team compositions, followed by a mini-auction to facilitate player release and new signings. Scholarships The MoU with AUO, meanwhile, will see the university offer comprehensive education courses for hockey players from state to international levels with scholarships ranging from 30 to 100 per cent to help them pursue higher education and training – the first time a National Sports Federation has formally established an educational system for its athletes. The AUO will also provide free access to a three-month certificate course in Sports Psychology for all athletes.
India Gazette
19-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Hockey India opens player registration for Hockey India League 2026
New Delhi [India], May 19 (ANI): Hockey India announced on Tuesday the opening of registrations for the Hockey India League 2026. A statement from Hockey India said, 'Hockey India today announced that player registrations for the eagerly awaited Hero Hockey India League (Hero HIL) 2026 will open at 1700 hrs on 19 May 19, 2025 and close at 1700 hrs on August 20, 2025.' Building on the resounding success of the 2024-25 revival season, which featured eight men's and four women's franchises, the upcoming edition promises to be even bigger. Registrations are open to all eligible Indian and international players, with invitations extended to athletes from the world's leading hockey nations. Eligible Nations Men: India, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Spain, Argentina, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Korea Women: India, Netherlands, Argentina, Belgium, China, Australia, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, Chile, Japan, USA, Scotland HIL 2026 Player Registration Details: Registration Link (for both Indian and international players): Last season, more than 1,000 players signed up, underscoring the league's global appeal and its role as a launchpad for emerging talent. The Odisha Warriors captured the inaugural Women's HIL crown, while Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers lifted the Men's title--achievements that epitomise the league's renewed energy and professionalism. Commenting on the development, Hockey India President and Chairperson of the Hockey India League Governing Committee Dr Dilip Tirkey said, 'The Hockey India League has been a game changer for Indian hockey, and we are thrilled to continue its resurgence with the 2026 season. Last season's response from players and fans was phenomenal, and we are confident that the upcoming edition will further elevate the standard of hockey in India while strengthening our international collaborations.' Hockey India Secretary General and Hero Hockey India League Governing Committee Member Bhola Nath Singh added, 'With the success of both the men's and women's leagues last season, we are seeing a renewed interest and enthusiasm in the sport. We invite all aspiring and professional players, both from India and abroad, to seize this opportunity and register for what promises to be another landmark season.' (ANI)
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Pakistan in doubt for hockey Asia Cup after reports of visa denial
The ongoing situation following the Pahalgam terror attack has put a question mark over Pakistan's participation in tournaments to be hosted by India later this year. The men's Asia Cup hockey in Rajgir from August 27-September 7, also a qualifying event for the 2026 World Cup, is the most obvious one. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh has insisted that 'no discussions on the issue have been held so far but any decision will be taken only according to government guidelines' with the government having the final authority on the subject. 'We have not thought about it but it is not something we can decide on, we will wait for and abide by whatever the government decides,' Singh added. Incidentally, Singh is also a vice-president of the Asian Hockey Federation, making him a representative of both the national and continental organisation. While there is no official word from the AHF, Hockey India or even PHF at the moment, reports from Pakistan have claimed that the team has already been formally refused visas. If true, it needs to be seen how the FIH and the Asian body move ahead. The FIH, while not directly involved, is keeping a close eye on the developments and sources admitted the international body will have to take a call soon. More so, since the FIH Junior World Cup is also scheduled to be held in Chennai-Madurai in December. Pakistan had earlier been denied visas for the 2016 JWC as well after the terrorist attack on a military camp with Malaysia stepping in as replacement on the basis of rankings. Besides hockey, Chennai will also be hosting the WSF World Cup squash in December. The SRFI has also said it is too early at this stage to say anything. The Squash World Cup is a mixed-gender event with the 2023 edition — of eight teams without Pakistan — also held in Chennai.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan unlikely for Asia Cup hockey, may miss junior WC too
Kolkata: The Pakistan hockey team 's participation in Asia Cup, scheduled in Rajgir, Bihar, from Aug 27 to Sept 7 is unlikely following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives and left scores wounded. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Not only the continental meet, which will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, Pakistan's participation in Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai later this year, is also under cloud. Speaking exclusively to TOI, Hockey India (HI) secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said they are awaiting every move by the govt on its foreign policy on Pakistan. "We are continuously reviewing it and will await further guidance from the govt before taking any decision at the appropriate time," Singh said. According to the sources, HI also had to move the Junior Men's World Cup pool draw, which was scheduled on May 5, to a later date because of likely visa issues for Pakistan-born Tayyab Ikram, the current FIH president. After the Apr 22 attack in Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian govt gave a 'Leave India' notice to Pakistani nationals on short-term visas in the country and has also suspended issuing new visa services. While Pakistan's non-participation in the tournament will be embarrassing for Hockey India, it is unlikely to have any effect on the upcoming two events. Even in 2016, Pakistan were unable to take part in Junior World Cup held in Lucknow because of visa issues and Malaysia had replaced them on the basis of ranking. International Hockey Federation (FIH) had then said in a statement, "Earlier today the FIH invited the Malaysian junior men's team to take part in the Uttar Pradesh Hockey Junior World Cup Men, Lucknow 2016, being held in India from 8 to 18 December. The late invitation came after FIH had to officially withdraw Pakistan's invitation to the event." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Something similar is also expected to happen this time around. "If Pakistan withdraws from the Men's Hockey Asia Cup, Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) would likely replace them with the next highest-ranked team from the Asia region. This is solely upto AHF," the source added. The Pakistan men's hockey team last played in India in 2023 when they took part in Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai and fans and the administrators were certainly looking forward to their participation in the tournament this time around. They had also visited the country to take part in the 2018 World Cup, 2014 Champions Trophy and Junior World Cup in 2021. But as things stand, it's not going to happen again anytime soon.
