Odisha Leads The Way As India Eyes 2030 Hockey World Cup Hosts

Punjab, Odisha and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the frontrunners to host the 2030 FIH Hockey World Cups for both men and women, Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said in an interview with PTI on Friday. Odisha has previously hosted the men's Hockey World Cup twice, while Tamil Nadu staged the men's Junior World Cup last year across Chennai and Madurai. Punjab, regarded as the cradle of Indian hockey, has never hosted the senior World Cup. The state is currently staging the men's Asian Champions Trophy, its first international hockey tournament in 17 years. The last international event held in Punjab was the Gold Cup in 2009.

"Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Punjab are all in the race. If Odisha gets the Hockey World Cup, it will be a big achievement for the state. Odisha will be the first preference," Bhola Nath said.

"I don't say anything in the air. I don't know how to lie."

While India has hosted the men's Hockey World Cup on four occasions, it is yet to stage the women's edition.

Bhola Nath said one of his key objectives since taking charge has been to take hockey to every corner of the country.

"I want to take hockey to every corner of the country. Tamil Nadu has produced many Olympians, and we took the Junior World Cup there last year. Punjab is now an example.

"We are now taking the Women's Asian Champions Trophy to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. No international tournament has been held in Madhya Pradesh so far. The Women's ACT will be held from November 19 to 28 in Bhopal," he said.

"The purpose of taking hockey to every part of the country is to build infrastructure of international standards."

Bhola Nath said Punjab was selected to host the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy because of its rich hockey legacy and the large number of players from the state in the Indian team.

"When I became the secretary general of Hockey India, I saw that most of the players in the team were from Punjab. When I spoke to the boys from Punjab, they used to say that they had played in countries across the world, but their parents had never seen them play an international match.

"So, I wanted to organise an international tournament in Punjab. The discussions were going on, and one day I met Bhagwant Mann and discussed this with him. He said he was ready and would do it," he added.

Responding to reports that Mandeep Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma were set to play their farewell tournament at the Asian Champions Trophy, Bhola Nath said Hockey India had no role in such decisions.

"I am telling you that this is not Hockey India's decision. I don't know where this came from. This is not from us. Players who are fit and capable will continue to play; even God won't be able to stop them. And those who are not capable, even God won't be able to make them play. I want a medal in LA," he said.

"I have given the coach, the selectors and the captain a free hand. I want a team that will go to LA and at least change the colour of the medal. At the very least, we want to play in the final."

"I also have complete faith in the girls that they will finish on the podium," he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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