K. ARUMUGAM
New Delhi, 29th August 2024: The ancient city of Rajgir in Bihar, famous for its holy sites and hot springs, will host the forthcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. The Bihar Government, hitherto unknown for any serious hockey work, has developed a new modern hockey facility in Rajgir which was inaugurated today, National Sports Day. The venue is part of sprawling International Sports Complex that has come up here, which has facilities many indoor and outdoor games, research center & sports library.
The stadium, located in the home state of current women’s chief coach Harendra Singh, adds to the half a dozen international hockey destinations of India. However, this is for the first time a non-capital city will host a full pledged international tournament in India, after Rourkela co-hosted last year’s men’s World Cup. Capital cities Chennai and Ranchi successfully hosted men’s and women’s Asian Champions Trophies last year, winning both.
Besides the Defending Champions India, reigning Olympic Silver-medalists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand are expected to participate in the marquee tournament.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar meeting Indian women’s teams at Rajgir
Extending a warm welcome to the international teams set to participate in the prestigious continental event, Shri Nitish Kumar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar said, “I am very happy and delighted to extend the support of Bihar Government to host the 8th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. We extend a very warm welcome to the international teams participating in the prestigious event. We hope the hockey teams, officials and hockey fans traveling for this event will enjoy the hospitality of our people, we will ensure no stone is left unturned in making this event a grand success.”
Elated to announce the host nation, Dato Fumio Ogura, President of Asian Hockey Federation said, “I am delighted to announce that the 8th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy will be held in India. I extend my profound gratitude to Hockey India for taking up the responsibility to host this marquee event after successfully hosting the Men’s and Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in India last year. I am confident that the event in Rajgir, Bihar will be a huge success similar to the previous edition held in Ranchi, Jharkhand.”
Expressing his gratitude to the Bihar Government, Dr Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India said, “Hockey India is very excited to host the prestigious Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Bihar. This is a historic moment for hockey as this is the first time an international hockey tournament is being held in Bihar. We are grateful to Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and the Bihar Government for the incredible opportunity and support to host the event.”
Echoing the sentiments of hockey fans, Shri Bhola Nath Singh, Secretary General of Hockey India said, “It is a great moment for Indian Women’s Hockey that back-to-back Asian Champions Trophy is being held in India. We hosted a very memorable event in Ranchi last year and we will ensure a grand event in Bihar as well. Hockey India is tirelessly working towards developing women’s hockey across the country and we believe taking an event of this stature to Bihar will help inspire children to take up the sport. We look forward to welcoming all the international teams and hockey lovers to Bihar.“