It is only fourth time only five teams will be in the fray since the Azlan Shah Cup came into the being in 1983. Normally 6-8 teams takes part. This year not many teams were interested to take part in the Asia’s only regular tournament.

There were only five teams in the inaugural year 1983, 1994 and 2003. India called off its tour in the eleventh hour in 2003 on the advice of Ministry of External Affairs after the team assembled for departure in Delhi. It was sequel to Malaysian government arresting a number of Indian IT expert in Kuala Lumpur.

India had a merry medal run in the early editions. It won a bronze in 1983, then gold thrice (1985, 1991 and 1995). That is, each time it participated after 1985, it won the gold.

In all, three gold and a bronze in first four participations is a good record indeed.

India sent a B team for 1996 under coach V. Baskaran and returned medal less. This was first time India returned without a medal in its kity.

The trend of sending experimental team and coming empty handed set in with our team since then.

So far India’s medals in Azlan Shah Cup (Gold 3, Silver 1, Bronze 4).

Australia won gold five times, India and Pakistan thrice, Germany twice and Argentina, Netherlands South Korea and England once each.

Argentina took part only once and went with the Cup in its kitty (last year).

For former international Harendra Singh, its second time he will be coach for the Azlan Shah Cup. He took a B team for the 2004 edition.

Incidentally, Dhanraj Pillay, who is now with the team as manager, was the captain in 2004 in Harendera’s first foray into Azlan Shah Cup as coach.

Pargat Singh was the manager for the last Azlan Shah Cup last year.

India won the Silver last year (Coach AK Bansal, captain Sandeep Singh) and is tipped to upgrade colour of the metal this time.

It is first time Egypt is taking part in the Azlan Shah Cup.

New Zealand, Pakistan and India were in the fray last year also besides the hosts.

India’s record in the Azlan Shah Cup
Matches Played: 70
Matches won: 31
Matches Drawn: 11
Goals for: 136

Data Source: Hockey Year Book 2008