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The quarterfinal matches of the Hockey India-14th Senior National men's championship witnessed thrilling contests and unexpected upsets. After eight days of largely one-sided matches in the Group stage, the last-eight ties at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium turned out to be nail-biting affairs.In the biggest upset of the tournament, Manipur, a North-Eastern state, stunned defending champion Punjab via a penalty shoot-out (3-3 in regulation time and 4-3 in shoot-out). Manipur's experienced players, including Olympians Nilakanta Sharma, Kothajit Singh, and Chinglensana Singh, played a crucial role in the victory.Another major upset occurred when Odisha entered its first semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Karnataka in a shoot-out (3-1). Odisha's Mangal Lohar, Shilanand Lakra, and Pratap Lakra scored the goals in the shoot-out.Haryana, the two-time champion and last year's finalist, staged a remarkable comeback to script a 5-1 win over Maharashtra. Trailing 0-1 till the third quarter, Haryana scored all its five goals in the fourth quarter, with Rohit scoring a hat-trick.The host team, Uttar Pradesh, defeated Tamil Nadu 3-1 to secure a place in the semifinals. Chandan Singh, Rajkumar Pal, and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scored for UP.The semifinals will be played on Friday, with UP taking on Haryana and Manipur clashing with Odisha. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

Women's Asian Champions Trophy Matches Rescheduled to Avoid Insect InfestationThe Asian Hockey Federation and Hockey India have announced a revised schedule for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy to mitigate potential disruptions caused by a large insect infestation. The tournament, scheduled for November 11-20, will now feature matches held in the early afternoon to avoid the peak activity of insects under floodlights.The revised schedule will see the first match of each day commence at 12:15 PM, the second at 2:30 PM, and the last at 4:45 PM. Previously, matches were scheduled for the evening, starting at 3 PM, 5:15 PM, and 7:30 PM respectively.The decision was made after consultation with the tournament's organizing committee and feedback from teams. Training sessions under floodlights revealed a significant increase in insect activity, prompting the need for a schedule adjustment. The stadium's proximity to paddy fields, which are home to large insect populations during this time of year, contributed to the issue.To address the infestation, the Bihar State Government has implemented comprehensive environmental management measures at the venue. Advanced drone operations, intensive fumigation, and international-standard treatments have been employed to provide optimal playing conditions. Seven types of chemicals, including Cyphenothrin, Deltamethrin, and Cyfluthrin, along with cold sprays, have been applied in and around the stadium complex.Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey emphasized the priority of player and fan safety. "Hockey is being played at a new venue, and we want to ensure that we maintain high standards, while ensuring a smooth and exciting experience not only for teams but also for the people of Bihar who have been eagerly waiting for this tournament," he stated.The tournament will feature hosts India along with five other teams: China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. The teams will play round-robin matches, with the top two sides advancing to the semifinals.

The 14th Hockey India senior National men's hockey championship has been marred by a series of lopsided matches, raising concerns about the format of the tournament. Tamil Nadu's massive 43-0 victory over Andaman and Nicobar in a Pool-C tie exemplified this issue.The one-sided nature of the match was evident from the outset, as Tamil Nadu scored 13 goals in the first quarter alone. The second quarter saw a further 12 goals, followed by 10 in the third and 8 in the fourth. Tamil Nadu's Sundarapandi emerged as the star of the match, scoring nine goals.This result came on the heels of several other one-sided matches in the tournament. Maharashtra thrashed Gujarat 30-0, Manipur crushed Bihar 19-1, and Madhya Pradesh blanked Andaman and Nicobar 29-0.The lopsided scores have raised questions about the need to re-examine the tournament format. Critics argue that the current system allows weaker teams to be humiliated, which is detrimental to the development of the sport.One possible solution is to introduce a tiered system, where teams are divided into different divisions based on their strength. This would ensure that teams are competing against opponents of a similar level, reducing the likelihood of such lopsided results.Another option is to implement a mercy rule, which would stop the match if one team gains a significant lead. This would prevent teams from being subjected to excessive punishment.The Hockey India Federation (HIF) has acknowledged the concerns and is considering changes to the tournament format. A decision is expected to be made before the next edition of the championship.

The Indian men's hockey team, fresh from their Olympic bronze medal triumph, will embark on a new chapter as they aim to defend their Asian Champions Trophy title in Donghae, South Korea. The tournament, which begins on Sunday, will pit India against top Asian hockey nations, including China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea, and Malaysia.India, the only team to have won the ACT title four times, will be the favorites to retain their crown. Led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, the team boasts a blend of experienced Olympians and promising youngsters."We want to begin the fresh Olympic cycle by winning this tournament," said Harmanpreet. "We have a few youngsters trying to make their impact in the team, and we'll be looking to play a structured defense against strong teams like Japan, Malaysia, and Pakistan."India's opening match will be against hosts China on Sunday. They will then face Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and arch-rivals Pakistan in the round-robin stage. The semifinals and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17.Young midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad, Harmanpreet's deputy for this tournament, emphasized the importance of the ACT in assessing the progress of Asian teams ahead of the 2026 Asian Games."This tournament will give us a chance to see the progress the Asian teams are making," said Vivek. "We're excited to play quality matches and entertain the hockey-loving people of this region."The Indian team has been impressed by the facilities in Donghae, which they believe is one of the most beautiful hockey venues in the world."The facility is incredible," said Vivek. "The excitement of hosting the first international tournament here is quite evident, and we're looking forward to playing quality matches and entertaining the hockey-loving people of this region."

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has emphasized the need to move on from the euphoria of their Olympic bronze medal triumph and focus on retaining their Asian Champions Trophy title in Hulunbuir, China.Under Harmanpreet's leadership, India secured a second consecutive Olympic bronze medal in Paris, a feat not achieved in over half a century. However, the skipper believes it's time to turn the page and prepare for the Asian showpiece, which will be held from September 8 to 17."With a brief break after the Paris Olympics, the team is ready to take on the best hockey playing nations in Asia and prove its mettle," Harmanpreet said. "We had a good outing in Paris, but hockey is a very close game, we cannot rest on our laurels."India will face stiff competition from Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan, and hosts China in the Asian Champions Trophy. The team will begin their campaign against China on September 8, followed by a match against Japan on September 9.After a one-day break, India will take on Malaysia on September 11, followed by Korea on September 12 and arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals slated for September 16, with the final scheduled for September 17.India are the most successful team in the tournament with four titles, followed by Pakistan (3). India won the last edition in Chennai, beating Malaysia 4-3 in the final.Vice captain Vivek Sagar Prasad expressed confidence in the team's ability to defend their title, despite the presence of a few new players. "We will do our best to create a nurturing environment for them on the way to our title defense," he said.

Following India's second consecutive bronze medal finish in the Paris Olympics, Hockey India (HI) has begun planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. HI President Dilip Tirkey, a former India captain, outlined the federation's vision."We need to start preparing for the 2028 Olympics now. After the 2026 Asian Games, which is a qualifying event for the Olympics, the coach and selectors must collaborate to determine which players from the current team can compete in Los Angeles," Tirkey stated.With three players in their 30s and nine expected to be over 30 in four years, HI must consider the team's age profile. Tirkey emphasized the importance of performing well in major events such as the World Cup and FIH Pro League.The revival of the Hockey India League (HIL) is seen as a way to promote young talent. "Young players and domestic coaches will benefit. The addition of a women's competition is crucial," Tirkey said.HI faces challenges in managing the HIL, which was launched in 2013 and lasted for five editions. "The bigger challenge is making it successful in the long term. The franchises have been more or less finalized. The Odisha Government continues to be our backbone. I hope corporate houses will participate enthusiastically to support hockey," Tirkey added.To make domestic events more attractive, HI has made some of them mandatory for all players, including the National Championships. However, the federation may need to reconsider this decision due to the increased number of international events.Tirkey believes that the introduction of junior and sub-junior inter-zonal championships this year will provide youngsters with more competitive exposure. "More exposure will sharpen the skills of our under-17 and under-19 players," he said.

Hockey India has honored legendary goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh by retiring his jersey number 16 and appointing him as the junior national coach. This decision was announced after Sreejesh's retirement following India's historic second consecutive Olympic bronze medal at the recently concluded Paris Games.Sreejesh, who has been a stalwart in the Indian hockey team for nearly two decades, has been instrumental in the team's success. His exceptional skills and leadership have earned him widespread recognition and respect. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh praised Sreejesh's contributions, stating that he is an inspiration to young players.As the junior national coach, Sreejesh will be responsible for grooming the next generation of Indian hockey players. Singh expressed confidence that Sreejesh's experience and expertise will help develop talented young goalkeepers who can carry on his legacy.Sreejesh's retirement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey. He has been a symbol of resilience, determination, and excellence. His jersey number 16 will forever be etched in the annals of Indian hockey history, serving as a reminder of his remarkable achievements.

Hockey India has lodged a formal complaint regarding the officiating and decision-making during the India vs Great Britain men's hockey quarter-final at the Paris Olympics. The complaint highlights several inconsistencies that potentially influenced the outcome of the match.One major issue raised is the inconsistent use of video umpire reviews. In particular, the red card decision against Indian defender Amit Rohidas has raised concerns. The video umpire deemed the incident as "intentional," but many believe a yellow card would have been sufficient. This inconsistency has eroded trust in the video review system.Another incident occurred during the penalty shoot-out. India's Sukhjeet Singh was preparing to take a penalty stroke when the British goalkeeper was seen using a tablet. The on-field umpires had to stop proceedings, further undermining confidence in the officiating process.Hockey India has called for a thorough review of these matters to ensure fair play and uphold the integrity of the sport. The complaint also highlights the coaching of a goalkeeper from behind the goalpost during the shoot-out, which is against the rules.India's star defender Amit Rohidas was given a red card in the 17th minute for hitting an opposition player with his stick. The video umpire deemed it as "intentional," which many believe was a harsh decision. Reduced to 10 men, India faced an uphill battle.Despite the adversity, India managed to escape without conceding a goal. Goalkeeper Sreejesh played a crucial role, blocking two penalty strokes. India eventually won the match 4-2 in the shoot-out.Captain Harmanpreet Singh praised his team's resilience and communication. He emphasized the importance of forgetting the red card and moving forward. India will now face Australia in the semi-finals.

The Indian men's hockey team has arrived in Paris, France, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The team's arrival marks the beginning of India's Olympic dreams and the men's hockey team's quest for its first gold medal since 1980.The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, has been training hard for the Olympics and is determined to make a strong showing in Paris. The team has a rich Olympic history, having won 12 Olympic medals, including 8 golds, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals.India will begin its Olympic campaign on July 27 when it takes on New Zealand in its first pool B match. The team will then face Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia in the group stage. A top-four finish will ensure that India advances to the knockout stages.The Indian team is confident of its chances of winning a medal in Paris. The team has a good mix of experience and youth, and it is led by a strong captain in Harmanpreet Singh. The team is also well-coached by Graham Reid, who has a proven track record of success.The Indian men's hockey team is one of the most successful teams in the world. The team has won the World Cup three times and the Champions Trophy eight times. The team is also the reigning Asian Games champion.The Indian team is hoping to add to its medal tally in Paris. The team is determined to win its first gold medal since 1980 and to make the country proud.