Bihar set to host Women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament

The 8th Women's Asian Champions Trophy will be hosted in the historic city of Rajgir in Bihar, Hockey India announced on Thursday.

The event will be a joint venture between Hockey India and the Bihar Government and will be held at the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium from 11th to 20th November 2024.

Last year, Hockey Jharkhand successfully hosted the Women's Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi, where the hosts India clinched the title.

Besides the Defending Champions India, reigning Olympic Silver-medalists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand are expected to participate in the marquee tournament.

Expressing his gratitude to the Bihar Government, Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India said, "Hockey India is very excited to host the prestigious Women's Asian Champions Trophy in Bihar. This is a historic moment for hockey as this is the first time an international hockey tournament is being held in Bihar. We are grateful to the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and the Bihar Government for the incredible opportunity and support to host the event."

The new-look Indian women's hockey team under coach Harendra Singh will have a chance to showcase their skills at the tournament and defend the title after a poor first half of the year.

Indian women's team failed to qualify for the Olympics earlier in the year and had a dismal run in the FIH Women's Pro League tournament.