India will host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament for the first time in the city from August 3 to 12. The seventh season of this prestigious sporting event will serve as a preparation for the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China in September.
Announcing this, Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said it is good that hockey is making a comeback in the city that was once the capital of the sport in South India.
He said, “It is a matter of great pleasure and honor to host the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai. The city was once the hockey capital of South India and many prestigious domestic and international tournaments were held here.
“I believe that hosting the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here will increase the popularity of the game in the region and watching the top teams in Asia will also inspire the younger generation to take up hockey as a career,” he told reporters here. ”
Chennai last hosted an international hockey competition in 2007 as the Asia Cup. At that time, the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here proved to be lucky for the Indian team, which won the title by defeating Korea 7–2 in the final.
Apart from three-time champions India, defending champions South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Japan and China will participate in the Asian Champions Trophy. The organizers said that Pakistan has not yet confirmed its participation.
Adequate security will be provided to Pakistan if it participates in the tournament, he said, adding that China and Pakistan will confirm their participation by April 25. Hockey India (HI) general secretary Bholanath Singh said that Hockey India officials have already visited the venue in Chennai and reviewed the preparations for the tournament.
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