Berliner Tageblatt - Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Bhopal Revives Hockey Legacy

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, is preparing to host the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2026, a move that former Olympians and international hockey players say will help revive the city’s historic legacy in the sport. The tournament, scheduled from November 19 to 28 at the International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, will feature six national teams, including India.

Syed Jalaluddin Rizvi, who represented India at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, described the city’s selection as a significant milestone. He noted that it marks the first time Bhopal has organized a hockey tournament of this caliber. "It is definitely an achievement for the city and the state," Rizvi said, adding that the event would encourage young people to take up the sport. He appealed to local residents to attend as many matches as possible.

Samir Dad, a member of the Indian hockey team at the 1998 Asian Games, the 1998 World Cup, and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, highlighted the unique opportunity for local youth. While Bhopal has hosted international matches before, Dad emphasized that this is the first multi-nation tournament organized in the city. He stated that young boys and girls are fortunate to witness not only Indian teams but also competitors from other countries play locally.

Mohammad Yousuf, who played for India at the Bangkok Asian Games, shared similar sentiments regarding the event's importance. However, he noted that he and other former top players from the city have not yet received invitations to attend the matches.

The tournament aims to inspire young athletes by providing them with exposure to high-level international competition. Veteran players believe that witnessing these matches will motivate the next generation to excel in hockey, continuing Bhopal’s tradition as a nursery for the sport.

Y.Bouchard--BTB