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India have been chosen as the host for the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, to be held from August 3 to 12 in Chennai. It is a special moment for the city, with international action at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium after 16 years. This will be the seventh edition of the elite competition. and will take place before the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in September.
Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said that hosting the tournament in the southern region of the country would help in the revival of the sport in the respected region.
"It is indeed a great pleasure and honour to host the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai which was once the capital of hockey in South India with many reputed domestic and international events being held here. I believe hosting the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here will further revive the sport in the region and watching top teams in Asia will also inspire the younger generation to take up hockey as a career," Stalin said on Monday.
Chennai last hosted an international hockey event back in 2007. It was the Men's Hockey Asia Cup which India clinched after beating Korea 7-2 in the final.
Organisers of the Asian Champions Trophy said Pakistan and China will likely confirm their participation by April 25. They said, "Adequate security would be provided if the Pakistan team participates in the event."
Other teams which will be in the tournament take part are defending champions South Korea, Malaysia and Japan. Meanwhile, India have won the tournament three times (2011, 2016 and joint winner with Pakistan in 2018). It was the mighty South Korea who clinched the last edition title in 2021 in Dhaka.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said the national federation officials have already visited the venue in Chennai. On top of it, they have taken note of the ongoing preparations for the tournament. "In recent years, Odisha has been the centre of major international hockey tournaments but we are also keen on taking international matches to other states in the country," he said.
"Tamil Nadu in the past decade has hosted many important Hockey India National Championships across various age groups. I am sure with the support of all the stakeholders, we will have a successful and memorable event." Singh concluded.
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