The Hindu : Sport : Preparations are in full swing

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007
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Preparations are in full swing

Hockey Correspondent

Asia Cup is a ranking event

Chennai: With exactly a month left for the ball to roll in the seventh Asia Cup at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, preparations are reaching a higher pitch at the venue. This is the first time that this metropolis will be playing host to this event, held last in New Delhi in 1989.

What has added significance to the competition this time is the decision of the International Hockey Federation to categorise it as a ranking event.

The decision of Pakistan to participate after initially expressing regret to do so on account of its other commitments has contributed to a delay in finalising the groupings, which had to be altered, and drawing up the programme.

With as many as 11 teams in the fray fighting for the cup in two pools, the charting of fixtures for all the matches between September 1 to 9 is proving to be difficult.

The IHF is keen to play all matches at one venue — the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. Initially, there was a suggestion to play a few matches at the YMCA College of Physical Education ground, which has a synthetic pitch.

But considering the logistics involved in hosting at two places, it has been agreed to play all the matches at one venue.

Fixtures sent for approval

The fixtures drawn up have been sent for approval to the Competitions Director, Dennis Meredith, at the FIH Headquarters in Lausanne. The programme is expected to be announced on August 3. The indications are that there would be three matches a day, one under floodlights, starting at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, the teams participating have finalised their programmes.

Apart from the Indian team, which is expected to shift its training from Bangalore to Chennai by August 21, China will be the first team to reach the city on August 27.

China, the host of the next Olympics and a silver medallist at the recent Doha Asian Games in December last, is keen to prove that its performances are no flash in the pan despite its poor showing at the Azlan Shah tournament in May this year.

Chief coach, Kim Ryul, who was in Boom for the Champions Challenge to assess the participating teams, expressed confidence that China would put up a noticeable display. It may be recalled the Chinese team figured in a few exhibition matches when Chennai hosted the Champions Trophy in December 2005.

Even South Korea has decided to check in early enough to get a feel of the conditions and the weather.

It is gathered that Pakistan’s manager and former coach, Islahuddin, has expressed his happiness over the administration’s decision to rethink over taking part in the Asia Cup.

For the top brass of the Asian Hockey Federation, the Asia Cup is another opportunity to meet and discuss various issues concerning the sport in the continent. The AHF Council and Competitions Committee are set to meet on September 8.

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