IHF welcomes world body’s decision to award India 2018 WC

PTI

NEW DELHI: Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) on Saturday welcomed the world body’s (FIH) decision to award the 2018 men’s World Cup to the country, saying it will help in “restoring the old glory” of the sport here.

India has been awarded the men’s hockey World Cup for the second time in a span of eight years having successfully organised the previous edition of the mega event three years ago.

“This is a matter of great pride for India to host the World Cup in 2018. It will be a step ahead in restoring the old glory of the game in the country,” IHF president K D said in a statement.

“It is my utmost desire that we leave no stone unturned in preparing ourselves to host this mega event in 2018 and that such events will rekindle the interest of the young people in the game,” he added.

The 2018 edition will see an expanded field with 16 teams competing in both men’s and women’s events.

India last hosted the World Cup in New Delhi in 2010 while the next edition will be held next year in The Hague, Netherlands in the first two weeks of June.

The announcements were made by FIH president Leandro Negre at a special ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland on Thursday.