Others

Tamil Nadu is poised to host the prestigious FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup in November-December 2025. The announcement was made by a top government source, who confirmed that the state has submitted a letter of intent to the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).The AHF has given its consent, and the modalities for hosting the event are currently being worked out. Hockey India and the AHF are fully supportive of Tamil Nadu's bid to host the World Cup.Two venues have been identified for the tournament: one in Chennai and the other likely in Madurai. This marks a significant milestone for hockey in India, as it will be the first time that the FIH Hockey Junior World Cup will feature 24 teams.The International Hockey Federation (FIH) awarded the hosting rights to India in June 2024. The tournament will be a major boost for the development of hockey in the country, providing a platform for young players to showcase their skills on the international stage.The Tamil Nadu government is committed to providing world-class facilities and infrastructure for the event. The state has a strong track record of hosting major sporting events, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games.The FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup is one of the most prestigious events in the hockey calendar. It brings together the best young players from around the world to compete for the coveted title.India has a rich history in hockey, having won eight Olympic gold medals. The country is also the reigning Asian Games champion. Hosting the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup will be a testament to India's continued commitment to the sport.

In a thrilling encounter at the 14th Hockey India senior National men's championship, Manipur emerged victorious over Bengal 3-1 in a Pool H clash. The match was a battle for the top spot in the group, with both teams entering the contest with unblemished records.Manipur dominated the early stages of the game, but it was Bengal who struck first through Nitesh Neupane in the 51st minute. However, Manipur responded swiftly, with Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh equalizing just four minutes later. Nilakanta Sharma then put Manipur ahead in the 45th minute, and Cyril Lugun sealed the victory with a goal in the 55th minute.Bengal had its chances throughout the match, but failed to capitalize on them. The team's defense was also unable to contain Manipur's attacking prowess, which proved to be the difference in the end.In Pool F, Uttar Pradesh continued its impressive run with an 11-1 victory over Jammu & Kashmir. The win secured Uttar Pradesh's place in the quarterfinals. Vishnukant Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay led the scoring for Uttar Pradesh with two goals each, while Atul Deep, Chandan Singh, Faraz Mohd., Iktidar Ishrat, Arun Sahani, and Jay Prakash Patel also found the back of the net.The results of the other matches in the tournament were as follows:* Pool A: Punjab 8 (Gurjinder Singh 8, 11, Jobanpreet Singh 14, Surdarshan Singh 38, 39, Pardeep Singh 42, 50, Gursahibjit Singh 44) bt Dadra Nagar and Daman & Diu 0.* Pool B: Haryana 5 (Pankaj 29, Joginder Singh 32, 48, Deepak 35, Rajinder Singh 37) bt Telangana 1 (Venkatesh Telugu 58).* Pool F: Delhi 6 (Dheeraj Vats 4, 28, Govind Singh Bisht 19, Nitesh 22, 41, 44) bt Kerala 1 (Rishabh Kushwaha 41).* Pool H: Assam 4 (Abdul Qadir 10, 30, 40, Aniket Tiwari 44) bt Bihar 1 (Ravi Kumar 21).

Bihar, a state not traditionally known for its sporting prowess, is poised to make a mark on the national sports scene with the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Rajgir Sports Complex. The 90-acre facility, built at a cost of ₹740 crores, is set to host the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, marking a significant milestone for the state.The complex boasts a world-class cricket stadium, along with facilities for 25 different sports, including hockey, football, kabaddi, volleyball, swimming, and wrestling. The hockey arena, which is the first to be completed, features a playing field identical to the one used at the Paris Olympics and can accommodate up to 10,000 spectators.The complex's design stands out for its traditional aesthetic, with buildings constructed primarily of bricks and stone, giving it a grand and historic feel. The hockey venue is adorned with murals depicting ancient Nalanda as a renowned center of learning, reflecting the state's rich cultural heritage.Beyond the physical infrastructure, the Rajgir Sports Complex aims to be a hub for sports science and development. Plans are underway for a Bihar Sports University, modeled after the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, to provide advanced training and academic opportunities for athletes. The complex will also house a state-of-the-art sports research facility, hospital, and library.Chief coach Harendra Singh, a native of Bihar, expressed his enthusiasm for the complex's potential to transform the state's sporting landscape. He believes it will provide local athletes with access to international-standard infrastructure and training, fostering their growth and development.The Asian Champions Trophy tournament has generated a sense of excitement and celebration in the state, coinciding with the festive period of Chhath. The event is seen as an extension of the festive spirit, with locals eager to witness the high-level competition.The Rajgir Sports Complex is a testament to Bihar's commitment to promoting sports and providing its athletes with the resources they need to excel. It is expected to serve as a catalyst for the state's sporting development, inspiring future generations of athletes and showcasing Bihar's potential as a sporting powerhouse.

Indian hockey has reached new heights with the recent recognition of Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh as the FIH Player of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year for 2024. This prestigious honor is a testament to their exceptional performances and the resurgence of Indian hockey on the global stage.Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men's hockey team, has been a force to reckon with. His leadership and defensive prowess have been instrumental in India's recent successes. At the Paris Olympics, he led the scoring charts with 10 goals, including crucial goals in the quarterfinal, semi-final, and bronze medal match. His third FIH Player of the Year award is a fitting recognition of his consistent brilliance.PR Sreejesh, the legendary goalkeeper, has been a pillar of the Indian team for over a decade. His agility, reflexes, and leadership have made him one of the most respected goalkeepers in the world. At the Paris Olympics, he played a pivotal role in India's quarterfinal victory over Great Britain, despite playing most of the match with only 10 players. His third FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award is a testament to his unwavering excellence.The FIH awards also recognized the rising stars of hockey. Sufyan Khan of Pakistan was named the Men's Rising Star of the Year, while Zoe Diaz of Argentina won the Women's Rising Star of the Year award. These young players represent the future of hockey and their recognition is a sign of the sport's continued growth and development.The FIH awards are a celebration of the best and brightest in hockey. Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh's achievements are a source of pride for India and an inspiration to young hockey players around the world. Their success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that drives the sport of hockey.

Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and retired goalkeeper PR Sreejesh have been honored at the 49th FIH Statutory Congress in Oman. Harmanpreet was named Player of the Year 2024, while Sreejesh received the Goalkeeper of the Year accolade.Harmanpreet's exceptional performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics earned him the top spot. He led the scoring charts with 10 goals, including crucial goals in the quarterfinal, semi-final, and bronze medal match. His leadership and contributions were instrumental in India's consecutive podium finishes at the Olympics.Sreejesh, who retired after the Paris Olympics, added a second Olympic medal and a third FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award to his illustrious career. His stellar performance in the quarterfinal win over Great Britain, where India played with 10 players for most of the match, showcased his exceptional skills.In the women's category, Yibbi Jansen of Netherlands was named Player of the Year 2024, while China's Ye Jiao won the Goalkeeper of the Year 2024 award. Zoe Diaz of Argentina and Sufyan Khan of Pakistan received the FIH Rising Stars awards.Alyson Annan (Australia) and Jeroen Delmee (Netherlands) were recognized as the FIH Coaches of the Year in the women's and men's categories, respectively. Sarah Wilson of Scotland and Steve Rogers of Australia won the FIH Umpire of the Year awards in the women's and men's categories.Harmanpreet expressed his gratitude for the honor and acknowledged the support of his teammates, Hockey India, and his family. Sreejesh thanked Hockey India and his team for their contributions to his success.The FIH awards recognize the outstanding achievements of players, coaches, and umpires in the sport of hockey. The winners are selected through a combination of votes from an Expert Panel, National Associations, fans, and media.

Karnataka's hockey team has set its sights on the gold medal at the senior National men's hockey championships. Their impressive performance in the first two matches of the tournament suggests that they are on the right track.In their opening match, Karnataka faced Chandigarh and emerged victorious with a convincing 5-1 scoreline. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen was the star of the show, scoring a brace to lead his team to victory. The other goals came from N.M. Surya, Bharat Mahalingappa Kurtakoti, and Manjeet.In the second match, Tamil Nadu staged a remarkable comeback against Madhya Pradesh. Trailing 0-2, Tamil Nadu fought back to draw 2-2. K. Selvaraj and S. Shanmugavel scored the goals for Tamil Nadu, while Love Kumar Kanojiya and Akshay Dubey found the net for Madhya Pradesh.With one win and a draw each, both Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh have an equal chance of advancing to the knockout stage. They will play their final group matches on Thursday to determine their fate.In other matches, Andhra Pradesh thrashed Andaman & Nicobar 13-0, while Delhi defeated Jammu and Kashmir 6-0. Bengal also registered a comprehensive 10-0 victory over Assam.

Salima Tete has been appointed as the captain of the 18-member Indian women's hockey team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 20 at the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. Navneet Kaur will serve as Tete's deputy.India enters the competition as the defending champions, having clinched the title at last year's edition in Ranchi. The team will face stiff competition from five other nations, including reigning Olympic silver-medallists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, in the battle for continental supremacy.Tete, a dynamic mid-fielder, expressed her excitement and determination to lead the team to another successful campaign. "It's an incredible feeling to lead the team into another major tournament, especially as defending champions," she said. "We have trained rigorously and have a strong unit with both experienced players and young talent. Our goal is to defend our title and play with the same passion and determination we showed last year."The goalkeeping duties will be shared between the experienced Savita and rising talent Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defence will be anchored by a solid line-up, featuring Udita, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke.In the mid-field, captain Tete will be supported by Neha, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, and Lalremsiami, all known for their dynamic play. The forward line-up boasts firepower with Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Preeti Dubey, and Beauty Dungdung leading the charge.Notably, Sushila and Beauty Dungdung make their return to the team after successfully completing their rehabilitation. "We are confident in our preparation and the chemistry we've built within the team," said vice-captain Navneet. "Playing in front of our home crowd is a huge boost, and we are ready to face tough competition from the best teams in Asia."India will open their campaign against Malaysia on November 11. The team is determined to defend their title and continue their dominance in Asian hockey.

India's hockey team fought back from a goal down to defeat world champions Germany 5-3 in the second Test at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. However, the hosts lost the two-match series via shoot-out, with Germany winning 3-1.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored a brace each for India, while Abhishek contributed with a goal. For Germany, Elian Mazkour scored twice, and Henrik Mertgens added another.Germany took an early lead through Mazkour's reverse shot in the seventh minute. India responded well and created several chances but failed to find the equalizer.The Indians finally broke through in the third quarter, with Harmanpreet converting two penalty corners in quick succession. Abhishek then extended India's lead to 4-1 with a fierce shot from the right corner.Sukhjeet scored India's fifth goal in the fourth quarter, receiving a long pass and beating the German goalkeeper with a diving reverse hit.Germany fought back with two late goals from Mazkour and Mertgens, but it was not enough to prevent India from winning the match.In the shoot-out, India missed three of their four attempts, while Germany converted three of their four.Despite the loss in the shoot-out, India's performance in the second Test was a significant improvement from their 2-0 defeat in the first Test. The team showed great resilience and determination to come back from a goal down and win the match.

New Delhi: The Indian men's hockey team's homecoming to the national capital was a disappointing one as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Germany in the first of two bilateral matches on Wednesday. The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, hosting an international game after a decade, witnessed a crowd of nearly 10,000 on a weekday afternoon, eager to witness a competitive clash between two Paris Olympics medal contenders. However, the Indian team's performance left much to be desired.The hosts started brightly but ominous signs were evident from the outset. A visible lack of energy and intent plagued the Indian team, while the Germans, with their characteristic efficiency, capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 4th minute. Henrik Mertgens, one of three debutants in the German side, scored the opening goal off a counter-attack.Germany could have doubled their lead four minutes later, but a penalty corner was overturned after a referral, resulting in a penalty corner for India instead. However, Varun Kumar failed to keep his balance, and Sukhjit hit the rebound wide. Just 14 seconds before halftime, Germany earned their first penalty corner, and captain Lucas Windfeder made no mistake, slotting it past Suraj Karkera to extend the lead to 2-0.India had ample opportunities but failed to capitalize. Seven penalty corners, a penalty stroke, and several half-chances went begging. Varun, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay were experimented with during penalty corners, suggesting that coach Craig Fulton is looking to develop a battery of drag-flickers instead of relying solely on Harmanpreet Singh. The captain himself had an off day. A penalty stroke, awarded after Germany appealed against Dilpreet Singh's opportunistic tap-in in the 27th minute, saw Harmanpreet's weak push saved by Joshua Nnaji Onyekwue, despite the German Junior World Cup winner diving to the wrong side.Onyekwue was impressive throughout, making several saves to keep the Indian attack at bay. The second half followed a similar pattern, with Germany maintaining their defensive dominance and preventing India from scoring.