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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.

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.

In a time when women's hockey tournaments in Tamil Nadu, organized by private clubs, are scarce, a group of 15 dedicated women have been successfully organizing a tournament for the past three years in Chennai. The 'We are for Hockey' Trophy, held at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, has attracted 16 teams from various parts of the state in its recently concluded fourth edition (July 25 to 27).The tournament has received an overwhelming response, with teams from Erode, Tirunelveli, Vellore, and Kovilpatti participating. Former Tamil Nadu players, J. Rekha and Lakshmi Vaikunth, president and secretary of 'We are for Hockey' Club, are the driving force behind this initiative. They have been tirelessly handling all aspects of the tournament with enthusiasm and dedication.Lakshmi Vaikunth, the secretary of the club, has faced challenges in securing sponsorship for the tournament. "It has been quite hectic for the last few weeks, running for sponsors and other things," she said. Despite the difficulties, the group has managed to raise funds to offer cash prizes to the winners: Rs. 30,000 for first place, 20,000 for second, and Rs. 10,000 for third.The 'We are for Hockey' Club is committed to promoting women's hockey and showcasing the talent of young girls. "Through our tournament, we want a Tamil Nadu player to represent India at the Olympics," said Lakshmi. The club also aims to make the event an All-India one, similar to the MCC-Murugappa tournament.The Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Chennai Hockey Association (CHA) have extended their support to the tournament. However, Rekha suggests that CHA could further contribute by conducting a women's league, as it did in 2018-19.The 'We are for Hockey' Club is an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of sports to empower women. Their dedication and hard work have created a platform for young hockey players to showcase their skills and aspire for greater heights.