India has made the strategic decision to send its second-string men’s hockey team to the FIH World Cup in August next year due to the proximity of the event to the crucial Asian Games, which serves as an Olympic qualifier. With a gold medal at the Asiad guaranteeing Olympic qualification, sports administrators aim to optimize the performance of the main team for this significant opportunity. The upcoming World Cup is scheduled to take place from August 15 to 30 in Wavre (Belgium) and Amstelveen (Netherlands), featuring both men’s and women’s competitions. While the men’s team has a favorable global ranking for qualification, the women’s team faces a tougher challenge that heavily relies on their performance in upcoming tournaments and championships. The government is set to invest between Rs 600-800 crore in Asiad preparations to enhance India’s medal prospects at the multi-sport event.
