Latest news with #FIHMen'sHockeyWorldCup
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Pakistan can visit India for Hockey Asia Cup: Sports Ministry sources
New Delhi: Amid the growing uncertainty over Pakistan's participation in the upcoming Men's Hockey Asia Cup in India next month, the Sports Ministry sources have confirmed that their team will be allowed to cross the border for the continental tournament. However, they also added that final approval regarding the same will be issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. "We have no objection to Pakistan coming to play in the Hockey Asia Cup in India, as it is a multi-national event. However, I must clarify that matters related to visas fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their decision will be final," said sources from the Sports Ministry. Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the Men's Asia Cup 2025 from August 29 to September 9 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan's men's hockey team's participation in the continental tournament was in jeopardy due to strained diplomatic relations between the neighbouring countries. The Men's Asia Cup 2025 will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, set to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The winner of the tournament will earn a coveted spot in the World Cup. Moreover, India will also host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, which will be played in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. They were grouped with archrivals India in Pool B in the expanded 24-team tournament. Pakistan's men's hockey team last visited India in 2023 when the latter hosted the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team outclassed Malaysia 4-3 in the final to claim a record fourth title. Pakistan recently participated in the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, where it finished runners-up to New Zealand, who qualified for the FIH Pro League 2026-27 season.
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Don't Think Pakistan Will Be Allowed": Hockey India Official Clears Asia Cup Stance
As Pakistan's participation in the hockey Men's Asia Cup in India is uncertain due to growing calls for their exclusion following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, a Hockey India official said that talks with the government are in progress in the matter, and the final decision will be taken after that. Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the Men's Asia Cup 2025 from August 29 to September 9 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan men's hockey team participation in the continental tournament is in jeopardy. With less than two months left for the tounament, the Hockey India is still awaiting government clearance for Pakistan men's hockey team's arrival in the country. "We are in contact with the government, and we will follow whatever instructions it provides. As for the current situation, I don't think the Pakistan team will be allowed to participate," a Hockey India official told IANS when asked about the strife-torn nation's participation in the Asia Cup, in August. The Men's Asia Cup 2025, will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, set to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The winner of the tournament will earn a coveted spot in the World Cup. Moreover, India will also host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, which will be played in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. Pakistan's participation in the junior event in India is also in doubt due to the groundswell of demand for excluding them in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. They were grouped with archrivals India in the expanded 24-team tournament. Pakistan men's hockey team last visited India in 2023 when the latter hosted the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team beat Malaysia 4-3 in the final to claim a record fourth title.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Big chance to qualify for WC through Pro League: Hardik
New Delhi: Placed in a strong third position on the points table as they resume their campaign in the away leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25 (Men), India vice captain Hardik Singh emphasised the importance of finishing the prestigious tournament on top. 'We have spoken about this within the squad and believe that if we stick to the plan, accumulate enough points, and push for wins - even securing points from draws and subsequent shootouts - we stand a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the Pro League,' said a confident Hardik. Putting things into perspective, he added, 'Belgium (currently ranked No.2) and the Netherlands (placed behind India at No.4) qualify automatically as co-hosts of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2026. That leaves England, who are on top, along with Germany and Spain, as the key competitors vying for qualification. Our matches against Argentina will also be crucial. This is a good challenge for us to have, and qualifying early would give us more time to prepare for the World Cup.' As of now, Australia (placed No.6 in the ongoing Pro League) have qualified for the World Cup as winners of the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Belgium and the Netherlands qualify as hosts. Germany, currently placed fifth, still have six matches left and can potentially pose a threat to India's qualification plans. Meanwhile, the Indian team's focus and precision in preparation for their European campaign has been evident during the multiple red, orange, and green training sessions at the centralised training camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks. 'The sessions have been nothing short of rigorous,' laughed Hardik, highlighting the hard yards the team has put in, particularly in terms of fitness and conditioning. 'We have really been put through the grind by the coach and Alan (Scientific Advisor). Our strength and conditioning have been on point—mainly because we want to be at our peak for back-to-back matches. We practically have no rest days between games, and even when we do, we'll be travelling from the Netherlands to Belgium,' he explained. India will begin their European leg with back-to-back matches against the Netherlands on June 7 and 9, followed by a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12 at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen. The team will then travel to Antwerp to face Australia on June 14 and 15, before concluding their campaign against hosts Belgium June on 21 and 22. 'Every point in these six matches will matter. Another exciting aspect of this campaign is that the matches are being played at the same venues where the World Cup will be held next year. This gives us a better understanding of what to expect. We're treating this like a World Cup simulation, and that makes this outing even more important for our squad,' Hardik signed off.
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"There's a realistic chance to qualify for World Cup if we stick to the plan in FIH Hockey Pro League," says India VC Hardik Singh
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): Placed in a strong third position on the points table as they resume their campaign in the away leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 (Men), India Vice Captain Hardik Singh emphasized the importance of finishing the prestigious tournament on top. On June 7, India will continue its FIH Hockey Pro League campaign against the Netherlands at Amstelveen. Currently, India is in the third spot, with five wins and three losses. 'We have spoken about this within the squad and believe that if we stick to the plan, accumulate enough points, and push for wins--even securing points from draws and subsequent shootouts--we stand a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the Pro League,' said Hardik as quoted by a Hockey India press release. Putting things into perspective, he added, 'Belgium (currently ranked number two) and the Netherlands (placed behind India at number four) qualify automatically as co-hosts of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2026. That leaves England, who are on top, along with Germany and Spain, as the key competitors vying for qualification. Our matches against Argentina will also be crucial. This is a good challenge for us to have, and qualifying early would give us more time to prepare for the World Cup.' As of now, Australia (placed at number six in the ongoing Pro League) have qualified for the World Cup as winners of the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Belgium and the Netherlands qualify as hosts. Germany, currently placed fifth, still has six matches left and can potentially pose a threat to India's qualification plans. Meanwhile, the Indian team's focus and precision in preparation for their European campaign has been evident during the multiple red, orange, and green training sessions at the centralized training camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks. 'The sessions have been nothing short of rigorous,' laughed Hardik, highlighting the hard yards the team has put in, particularly in terms of fitness and conditioning. 'We have really been put through the grind by the coach and Alan (Scientific Advisor). Our strength and conditioning have been on point, mainly because we want to be at our peak for back-to-back matches. We practically have no rest days between games, and even when we do, we'll be travelling from the Netherlands to Belgium,' he explained. India will begin their European leg with back-to-back matches against the Netherlands on June 7 and 9, followed by a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12 at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen. The team will then travel to Antwerp to face Australia on June 14 and 15, before concluding their campaign against hosts Belgium on June 21 and 22. 'Every point in these six matches will matter. Another exciting aspect of this campaign is that the matches are being played at the same venues where the World Cup will be held next year. This gives us a better understanding of what to expect. We are treating this like a World Cup simulation, and that makes this outing even more important for our squad,' Hardik signed off. (ANI)
United News of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
There's a realistic chance to qualify for World Cup if we stick to plan in FIH Hockey: Hardik
New Delhi, May 26 (UNI) Placed in a strong third position on the points table as they resume their campaign in the away leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024–25 (Men), India Vice Captain Hardik Singh emphasized the importance of finishing the prestigious tournament on top. 'We have spoken about this within the squad and believe that if we stick to the plan, accumulate enough points, and push for wins—even securing points from draws and subsequent shootouts—we stand a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the Pro League,' said a confident Hardik. Putting things into perspective, he added, 'Belgium (currently ranked No.2) and the Netherlands (placed behind India at No.4) qualify automatically as co-hosts of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2026. That leaves England, who are on top, along with Germany and Spain, as the key competitors vying for qualification. Our matches against Argentina will also be crucial. This is a good challenge for us to have, and qualifying early would give us more time to prepare for the World Cup.' As of now, Australia (placed No.6 in the ongoing Pro League) have qualified for the World Cup as winners of the previous edition of the FIH Hockey Pro League, while Belgium and the Netherlands qualify as hosts. Germany, currently placed fifth, still have six matches left and can potentially pose a threat to India's qualification plans. Meanwhile, the Indian team's focus and precision in preparation for their European campaign has been evident during the multiple red, orange, and green training sessions at the centralized training camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past three weeks. 'The sessions have been nothing short of rigorous,' laughed Hardik, highlighting the hard yards the team has put in, particularly in terms of fitness and conditioning. 'We have really been put through the grind by the coach and Alan (Scientific Advisor). Our strength and conditioning have been on point—mainly because we want to be at our peak for back-to-back matches. We practically have no rest days between games, and even when we do, we'll be traveling from the Netherlands to Belgium,' he explained. India will begin their European leg with back-to-back matches against the Netherlands on June 7 and 9, followed by a double-header against Argentina on June 11 and 12 at the Wagner Stadium in Amstelveen. The team will then travel to Antwerp to face Australia on June 14 and 15, before concluding their campaign against hosts Belgium on June 21 and 22. 'Every point in these six matches will matter. Another exciting aspect of this campaign is that the matches are being played at the same venues where the World Cup will be held next year. This gives us a better understanding of what to expect. We're treating this like a World Cup simulation, and that makes this outing even more important for our squad,' Hardik signed off. UNI BM
