Five Vs Five hockey to be made popular in India

FIH President Leondra Negre says that India will soon popularize Five Vs Five tournaments to promote grass root hockey on large scale.

“There is a need to popularize different versions of hockey. We have eleven a side, then indoor hockey, and recently we also sanctioned a Nine-a-side tournament in Australia. There is a possibility of taking of five vs five tournament on large scale in India, as sponsors are interested”, the FIH President, who is here in Ipoh, said.

“Coca-Cola India is interested in this project. Similar projects were successfully done in football. I am hopeful soon India will have a big new version of hockey, 5 Vs 5, to create and sustain interest in hockey at grassroot level”, he added.

He however refused to give deadline for the project to take off.
Giving rationale for the concept, he explained that International Olympic Committee aims to make Youth Olympics a popular event to create more and more awareness of sports, and it is in the fitness of things this concept of 5 vs 5 suits insofar as hockey is concerned.

FIH has in the past announced many schemes including Club Championships, but is yet to take shape on the ground. Therefore this announcement also needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.