India is preparing to host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, scheduled from November 28 to December 10 in Chennai and Madurai. The Indian team finds itself in Pool B, where they will compete against Pakistan, Chile, and Switzerland.
Action shot showcasing the intensity of a hockey match. (AP Photo)
The draw ceremony, a landmark event held at the FIH headquarters, signifies the tournament's expansion to include 24 teams for the first time.
Pool A consists of Germany, South Africa, Canada, and Ireland, promising a series of competitive matches. Pool C features Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, and China, setting the stage for intense rivalries.
Pool D will see Spain, Belgium, Egypt, and Namibia battling for supremacy. The Netherlands, Malaysia, England, and Austria are grouped in Pool E. Pool F includes France, Australia, Korea, and Bangladesh, rounding out the tournament's diverse and competitive field.
The draw ceremony was attended by key figures, including FIH President Tayyab Ikram, Hockey India (HI) Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, and Hockey India Director General RK Srivastava.
FIH President Ikram highlighted the significance of the expanded tournament, stating, "It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup! It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that."
Bhola Nath emphasized the lasting impact of the tournament: "Today marks a landmark moment for the world of hockey as we witness the pool draw for the inaugural FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup, featuring 24 nations." The tournament will also enhance India’s hockey infrastructure, including a new state-of-the-art hockey stadium in Madurai.
Germany enters the competition as the defending champions, having secured their seventh title by defeating France 2-1 in the 2023 final.
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