In just over a month, the twelfth Hockey World Cup (not to be confused with the “World Cup of Hockey” which is the Ice Hockey equivalent) will hit off in Delhi, India.
The World Cup is the hockey’s premier event and the number one world ranking is also up for grabs, if Australia finish higher than Germany.
In addition to this, it will prove to be an important trial of the Indian authorities’ security arrangements ahead of the Commonwealth Games later this year.
The venue Major Dyhan Chand National Stadium (named after probably the best ever Indian hockey player) will host 38 matches involving the 12 of the top 14 teams (China and Belgium failed to qualify) split into two pools over the 14 day tournament, and seats about 20,000 people.
Pool A is consists of (world ranking in Brackets) Germany (1), Netherlands (4), Korea (5), New Zealand (8), Canada (10) and Argentina (14).
Pool B will be contested by Australia (2), Spain (3), England (6), Pakistan (7), India (12) and South Africa (13).
Only 5 countries have won the World Cup, with Pakistan (4 titles) leading the Netherlands (3) and Germany (2), with Australia and India both with 1 title each.
The biggest challenge that the event will have, apart from the Indian national team going on strike over a dispute with the national association, is the overlap with the Indian Premier League (even if it is only two days), and getting lost in the hype in the lead up to the IPL.
This challenge although seeming insurmountable, perhaps is not as great as it seems with the IPL not scheduling a match in Delhi until after the end of the tournament, and the IPL’s willingness to reschedule it’s fixtures to avoid clashing with the Finals.
The proof, though, will be in how well attended the tournament is.
True Tah
Guest
I was there over December, and whilst futbol would be the most popular sport in affluent areas such as Sikkim, Goa and Kerala, on a national basis, it would be daylight behind cricket. Blatter said himelf that India is at least 100 years from being able to host the FIFA world cup. I guess having a national team that struggle against the Maldives probably wouldn't help either. Travelling through the backblocks of Jharkhand, UP, Rajasthan, West Bengal, you are far more likely to find young kids playing cricket than kicking a futbol around. What I find surprising is that Jharkhand won the u16s national tournament, and I did not see a single futbol ground and I spent a week travelling around the state.
MV Dave
Guest
Obviously didnt get to the Kolkata Derby...Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal where they get up to 100,000 crowds; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eov38x2u0gU The Indian League is on the up and the EPL is hugely popular.
Froar
Guest
Has soccer been making inroads? Didn't really notice it in my gap year there.
mjg
Roar Rookie
It will be an important tournament for India. Soccer is making inroads there and, of course, the IPL is huge. Rule changes since the previous World Cup that favor attackers should benefit the Indian players, especially self-pass from a free hit. The World Cup is also an important test of Indian security and organisation ahead of the Commonwealth Games.