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Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Pak teams will come for Asia Cup, Junior World Cup in India: HI
Dilip Tirkey CHENNAI: After weeks of uncertainty surrounding their participation and mixed signals, it is now official that the Pakistan hockey team will take part in both major tournaments – the Asia Cup and the Junior Men's Hockey World Cup — in India. The Asian meet is set to be held in Rajgir from August 27 to September 7, while the Junior World Cup will take place from November 28 to December 10 across two venues: Chennai and Madurai. Confirming the development, Hockey India (HI) treasurer and president of the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, Sekar J Manoharan, told TOI that both the senior and junior teams from Pakistan have applied for visas. 'Pakistan's teams will definitely be coming. They've already submitted visa applications. The senior men's team has applied with a contingent of 18 players and seven support staff,' Sekar said after the inauguration of the Sub-Junior Men's National Hockey Championship here on Monday. Sekar also mentioned that the Indian junior team will arrive in Chennai in the first week of October for its preparatory camp. Earlier, there had been indications that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) might not send teams for the upcoming tournaments in India. It was speculated that the PHF had written to the FIH (International Hockey Federation) and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), expressing their reservations over sending the teams to India. HI President Dilip Tirkey said the federation has not received any official communication yet. 'We too are hearing these talks, but we haven't received any news from the Pakistan team officially yet. If we do receive it, we will take it up with FIH and they will decide how to go about it,' Tirkey told TOI. 'Selectors told to act if form dips' The India men's team endured a poor campaign in the recent FIH Pro League, finishing eighth and suffering seven straight defeats. Reacting to the dismal performance, Tirkey said the federation is in talks with head coach Craig Fulton and the selectors. 'The Pro League is very important for us. And now, we have more important tournaments coming up. If we see players who are not performing well and are unable to deliver, it's on the selectors to take a call. And if there is a fall in form for some players who have been playing for a long time, we've told the selectors to watch out and take action.' Govt backing key to hosting big events After Chennai successfully hosted the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023, Tirkey said HI is confident of staging more marquee events here, thanks to strong support from the Tamil Nadu government. 'TN govt supported us very much last time when we hosted ACT. And where there's full support from the govt, we get the confidence to host international and domestic competitions. This is why we are hosting the Junior World Cup here. The Indian government knows how important security will be, so it will be given accordingly,' said Tirkey. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Indian team preparing hard for the Asia Cup, says HI president Tirkey
It was a woefully disappointing performance by the Indian men's hockey team in the recently concluded FIH Pro League, having finished eighth among nine teams, with the side suffering seven successive losses in the European leg. Dilip Tirkey, president of Hockey India, admitted that it has been a sub-par performance by the team, but Hockey India is watching the squad's performance and welcomed the team management to share information about players' form. 'Yes, the team did not perform as expected in the Pro League. If the players are tired and if they are not able to play well [for some reason or other], I've asked the team management to let us know. If the senior players are not performing to their own standards, the selectors can take strict action. We have important tournaments like the World Cup (August 14 to 30, 2026) and the Asian Games (September 19 to Oct. 4, 2026) coming up,' Tirkey told The Hindu, on the sidelines of the National sub-junior men's hockey championships here on Monday. With the Asia Cup (to be held from August 27 to September 7) in Rajgir, Bihar, where a spot is reserved for the winner to the World Cup, Tirkey said the tournament carries a lot of weight. 'The Asia Cup is an important tournament. The team is preparing hard for it,' he said. The Junior men's World Cup to be held in Madurai and Chennai from November 28 to December 10, will be a huge success, with the support of the Tamil Nadu Government, said Tirkey. 'The Government has always supported hockey. Take for instance the 2007 Asia Cup and the Asian Champions Trophy in 2023,' he added. The decision to include 24 teams in the Junior World Cup, Tirkey claimed is to expand the base. 'The weaker teams will gradually gain interest and get better. FIH (International body for hockey) is doing it to promote the sport. One-sided matches happened even when the World Cup had 16 teams,' he said.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Hockey India hosts 15th Congress, unveils nationwide festival and grants for 100-year celebration
Hockey India successfully conducted its 15th Congress in the historic town of Mahabalipuram on Sunday. Marking a century of Indian hockey's glorious journey, the session witnessed a series of landmark announcements, including a Nationwide Festival of Hockey Celebration on November 7 and substantial financial support for state and national-level hockey development. Indian hockey's legacy began in 1925 with the formation of its first-ever national governing body. To commemorate this historic milestone, Hockey India will organise an unprecedented, nationwide celebration on November 7. The event will feature 1,000 simultaneous matches - one men's and one women's match in every district of the country - engaging over 36,000 players (18,000 men and 18,000 women). This massive initiative will bring together players from every corner of the nation, reflecting not only the unity and diversity of India, but also the enduring passion that hockey continues to inspire. In a visionary move to further empower the ecosystem of Indian hockey, Hockey India announced substantial increases in financial grants to support the organisation of national and grassroots-level events: Rs 70 lakh each for hosting the Senior Men's and Senior Women's National Championships Rs 30 lakh each for Junior Men, Junior Women, Sub-Junior Men, and Sub-Junior Women National Championships. Rs 25 lakh per state to support the organisation of district and state-level competitions. These enhanced grants aim to strengthen infrastructure, improve event quality, and ensure wider participation by reducing financial constraints at the local level. The support is expected to benefit thousands of emerging players, coaches, and grassroots officials who are the backbone of Indian hockey's future. Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India, said,'As we celebrate 100 years of Indian hockey, we not only honour our golden legacy but also lay a strong foundation for the future. This nationwide festival is our tribute to every player, coach, and fan who has carried Indian hockey forward. The financial support we are announcing is a direct investment in the dreams of the next generation, ensuring that no talent is left behind due to lack of resources.' Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General, Hockey India, added, 'This centenary celebration is not just symbolic - it's action-oriented. The increased grants are a reflection of our belief that real growth happens at the grassroots, and that equal opportunity, gender parity, and quality infrastructure are essential pillars of hockey's resurgence. We thank all our state units and districts for their commitment, and we look forward to a grand, inclusive celebration on 7th November.'
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
100 Years of Indian hockey: HI unveils grants, Nov 7 festival
Last Updated: Mahabalipuram, Jul 27 (PTI) Hockey India has announced a substantial increase in its financial grants to support the organisation of national and grassroots-level events during its 15th Congress here. Form now on, Rs 70 lakh each will be allocated for hosting the Senior Men's and Senior Women's National Championships, Rs 30 lakh each for organising Junior Men, Junior Women, Sub-Junior Men, and Sub-Junior Women National Championships. Besides, Rs 25 lakh will be given to each state to support the organisation of district and state-level competitions. These enhanced grants aim to strengthen infrastructure, improve event quality, and ensure wider participation by reducing financial constraints at the local level, Hockey India said in a press release on Sunday. The support is expected to benefit thousands of emerging players, coaches, and grassroots officials who are the backbone of Indian hockey's future, it said. Marking 100 years of Indian hockey's journey, the session witnessed a series of landmark announcements, including a nationwide festival on November 7. To commemorate the milestone, Hockey India will organise a nationwide celebration that will feature 1,000 simultaneous matches — one men's and one women's match in every district of the country — engaging over 36,000 players (18,000 men and 18,000 women). Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said: 'As we celebrate 100 years of Indian hockey, we not only honour our golden legacy but also lay a strong foundation for the future. This nationwide festival is our tribute to every player, coach, and fan who has carried Indian hockey forward. 'The financial support we are announcing is a direct investment in the dreams of the next generation, ensuring that no talent is left behind due to lack of resources." PTI AH AH ATK view comments First Published: July 27, 2025, 18:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"Not received any clearance": HI president Dilip Tirkey on Pakistan men's hockey team travelling to India
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): Former captain and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey confirmed that the board hasn't received any clearance from the government about the Pakistan men's hockey team travelling to India for the Asia Cup and Junior Hockey World Cup, which are set to be held in the nation later this year. There is uncertainty over Pakistan's men's hockey team's participation in the tournaments after the cross-border tension between India and Pakistan escalated in May earlier this year. India will host the Asia Cup from August 29 to September 7 at the recently developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. The Men's Junior Hockey World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 10 in Tamil Nadu. Tirkey addressed the ongoing reports about Pakistan travelling to India and participating in the tournament and told ANI, 'We have seen many tournaments, and whenever there is a match between India and Pakistan, the whole world likes to watch it. Two tournaments that we are going to host, Pakistan is going to participate in both. However, till now, we have not received any clearance; once we get it, we will move forward accordingly.' Pakistan's men's hockey team toured India for the Hockey World Cup in 2018. Apart from Pakistan, India will host Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei in the next month's Asia Cup. Meanwhile, in the Junior Hockey World Cup, India and Pakistan have been drafted in Pool B alongside Chile and Switzerland. While the Pakistan hockey team is travelling to India, it remains to be seen if their men's cricket team will cross the border for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be held in India, the official host of the tournament, later this year. In February this year, the Indian team didn't travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and played all their matches at a neutral venue in Dubai. It was also confirmed that the hybrid model will be adopted for all ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle, which will be held in India or Pakistan. (ANI)
