New Delhi: Former Indian hockey stars are optimistic that the Indian men’s team will win the Asia Cup, which starts on August 29 in Rajgir, Bihar. The new Rajgir Hockey Stadium will host the event till September 7. It is not just about becoming the best team on the continent, but it is also a very important qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, last won the Asia Cup in 2017. They are the reigning Olympic bronze medalists and the best team in Asia. They are the side to beat since they have been so dominant in Asia and because Pakistan has recently pulled out of the competition.
Ajitpal Singh, who was the captain of India’s World Cup-winning squad in 1975, said that India is the “undisputed favorite,” but the team needs to stay focused. He told PTI, “There is no comparison with us, but Korea, China, Japan, and Malaysia have obviously given us trouble in the past.” He also said that India should take advantage of the fact that Pakistan is no longer a serious threat to make sure they qualify for the World Cup.
Zafar Iqbal, a member of the team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympics, also underlined the need to not be too sure of oneself. Iqbal said during the trophy revealing ceremony, “There is no doubt that India are favorites to win the tournament unless we have a very bad day.” He said that teams like Korea, Japan, China, and Malaysia are “tricky” because they can cause an upset.
The Men’s Asia Cup’s 12th edition is a big deal for Bihar because it’s the first time the state has hosted a major international hockey competition. On Monday, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya showed off the shiny trophy in a ceremony that formally started the countdown to the event. The victor of the event will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.
There will be two pools of eight teams in the competition. India is in Pool A with Japan, China, and Kazakhstan. Pool B, on the other hand, includes South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Chinese Taipei, the defending champions. India will start its fight against China on August 29.