The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Asia Cup from August 31

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007
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Asia Cup from August 31

Hockey Correspondent

Chennai: The Asia Cup hockey championship is scheduled to begin on August 31 instead of September 1. However, there is no change in the date for the final, which is September 9.

There was an element of compulsion to enlarge the duration of the competition by a day in view of the late entry of the former champion Pakistan.

Originally, there were only 10 entries, with Pakistan opting out citing other engagements for the National team.

A turnaround by PHF presumably on account of the championship getting a ranking status skewed up the schedule drawn up by the committee.

Initially, the entry of Pakistan triggered a debate whether it should be accepted in view of its reluctance to be part of the competition, but the stature, strength and the crowd-pulling factor of Pakistan squad prevailed. The programme, and even the pools, had to be recast to accommodate Pakistan. With 11 teams in the fray, the number of matches increased considerably. The request to have the whole championship in one venue — the other was the new turf at the YMCA College Physical Education in Saidapet — from the logistical point of view introduced an element stress in drafting the programme.

Taking into consideration the rest factor for players, the IHF was left with no option but to add one more day to the Asia Cup. The new programme has been submitted to the FIH’s Events Manager, Dennis Meredith, for approval again incorporating all the changes suggested.

It is gathered that India’s matches will be fixed late in the evenings to ensure adequate spectator turn out at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, which became floodlit to host the 2005 Champions Trophy. The fixtures are expected to be officially released in a day or two.

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