Chandigarh Comets to take on Bhopal Badshahs in WSH opener
MUMBAI: Chandigarh Comets would clash with Bhopal Badshahs at the former’s venue to kick start the inaugural $2 million prize money World Series Hockey championships on February 29.
As per the schedule of the eight-team WSH, which is not a sanctioned event of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), announced on Monday, the league stage of the tournament would run till March 30 and will be followed by two semifinals on April 1 and the final on April 2.
The other six teams taking part would be Sher-E-Punjab (Jalandhar), Chennai Cheetahs, Pune Strykers, Delhi Wizards, Karnataka Lions (Bangalore) and the Mumbai franchise, renamed as Mumbai Marines.
The timings of the matches have been fixed at 5 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm right throughout the round robin stage barring the season opener which is to commence at 8.30 pm.
The two semifinals on April 1 are to be held at 6 and 8:30 pm respectively, while the final on April 2 will commence at 8 pm.
A total of 56 matches have been scheduled in the round robin phase leading to the two semis and final.
The tournament was scheduled originally to commence on December 17 last but had to be put off on request from the Indian players who wanted to concentrate on the Pre-Olympic qualifiers to be held in Delhi next month.