New Delhi [India], August 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi prolonged his greatest needs to all of the taking part groups within the Asia Cup 2025 Hockey, which is able to kickstart from Friday in Bihar’s Rajgir on National Sports Day (NSD), a celebration of the delivery anniversary of Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
The Asia Cup will kickstart in Rajgir with clashes between Japan and Kazakhstan and India and China on Friday. The remaining can be performed on September 7. The Men in Blue are a prolific presence within the event, having gained it thrice in 2003, 2007 and 2017 and ending as runners-up 5 occasions. They are featured in Pool A alongside Japan, China and Kazakhstan.
In a submit on X, PM Modi stated, ‘Tomorrow, twenty ninth August (which can also be National Sports Day and the delivery anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand), the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 begins within the historic metropolis of Rajgir in Bihar. I prolong my greatest needs to all of the taking part groups, gamers, officers and supporters throughout Asia.’
He added in one other tweet that hockey has ‘held a particular place within the hearts of hundreds of thousands throughout India and Asia’.
‘Hockey has all the time held a particular place within the hearts of hundreds of thousands throughout India and Asia. I’m assured that this event can be filled with thrilling matches, shows of extraordinary expertise and memorable moments that can encourage future generations of sports activities lovers,’ he added in one other tweet.
PM Modi additionally expressed pleasure in Bihar attending to host the event and the way it has grow to be a ‘vibrant sporting hub’ in latest occasions.
‘It is a matter of nice pleasure that Bihar is internet hosting the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025. In latest occasions, Bihar has made a mark as a vibrant sporting hub, internet hosting key tournaments such because the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, the Asia Rugby U20 Sevens Championship 2025, the ISTAF Sepaktakraw World Cup 2024, and the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. This constant momentum displays Bihar’s rising infrastructure, grassroots enthusiasm and dedication to nurturing expertise throughout various sporting disciplines,’ he added in one other tweet.
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1961073994133835931
The event, a quadrennial occasion that started in 1982, additionally serves as a qualification occasion for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, which can be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium.
The winners of the Asia Cup will earn a direct berth to the World Cup, whereas the groups ending from second to sixth will advance to the FIH World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in February-March 2026.
Harmanpreet will captain an 18-member Indian males’s hockey group in Rajgir. The skilled squad options stalwarts similar to Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas.
A complete of eight groups will contest for the title and have been divided into two teams of 4. After single-headed round-robin matches, the highest two from every pool will qualify for the Super 4s, with the highest two from that stage contesting the ultimate on September 7.
Pool A: India, Japan, China, Kazakhstan
Pool B: South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei. (ANI)