Happy to conduct international tournament in state capital, says TN hockey unit chief Sekar Manoharan

Chennai have been given hosting rights for the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 will take place in Chennai.

The seventh edition of the Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held from 3rd August to 12th August 2023 serving as a precursor to the Hangzhou Asian Games in September where teams will vie to win the gold medal and qualify directly for the Paris Olympics 2024. Tamil Nadu last hosted an International hockey event in 2007(Asia Cup) with India beating South Korea (7-2) to win the coveted trophy.

Tamil Nadu has produced many hockey talents - Vasudevan Baskaran (captain - 1980 Summer Olympics gold medal), Leslie Fernandez and Victor Philips (1975 World Cup - gold medal), Mohammed Imtiaz (part of 1996 and 2000 Olympics team). Currently, Selvam Karthi is making good progress in the senior setup (is a regular member of the Indian squad) with Mareeswaran part of the reserve team.

Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu president and Hockey India Treasurer Sekar Manoharan was pleased to welcome back international hockey to Chennai after a gap of 16 years and iterated, “The state has been holding few national tournaments in the interiors of Tamil Nadu (Kovilpatti) but we are now happy to conduct an international tournament in the state capital.” 

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said, “Hockey India will provide full support to Govt of Tamil Nadu in hosting the event which is making its return after a long gap. We were keen on taking International hockey matches to other states and in a short notice of two months Tamil Nadu was given the hosting rights.”

Asian Champions Trophy

India clinched the inaugural edition of the Asian Champions Trophy defeating Pakistan in 2011. Pakistan emerged victorious in the next two editions (2012 and 2013). The latest edition of the tournament was held in 2021 with South Korea defeating Japan to claim the trophy for the first time. The seventh edition of the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 will be held in India for the first time with the top six teams from Asia (India, Pakistan, China, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia) set to participate (subject to confirmation).   

An official from Hockey India replied to a query on Pakistan’s and China’s participation in the tournament and said, “We have sent invitations to all the top teams from Asia and will be awaiting their confirmation”. 

The astroturf at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium will be relaid and new practice facilities will be set up for the Games.