New Delhi: Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed his excitement ahead of the twomatch bilateral series against Germany, saying that the series is about “rekindling the spirit of hockey in the capital”.
The twomatch series will be played at the iconic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on October 23 and 24. The series will mark the return of men's international hockey to the capital after a decade, with the last match played in January 2014 during the Hockey World League Final – Men's Round 4.
Talking about the upcoming series, Harmanpreet said, “Playing in front of home fans in Delhi after so many years is really special for us as a team. The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium holds a lot of history and memories and it will be a great honour to lead the team here. The energy of playing in front of your home crowd is unmatched and I know the fans will come out in large numbers to support us.
He further added, “Germany is one of the top teams in world hockey and it will be a great challenge for us to play against them. It is important for our preparation as we gear up for the major tournaments ahead. We have been training hard and this series will give us an opportunity to test ourselves against a very strong opponent.”
On the return of international hockey to Delhi, Harmanpreet said, “It has been over a decade since Delhi hosted an international hockey match and we are excited to bring the sport back to the capital. This series is not just about two teams playing; it is about reviving the spirit of hockey in Delhi. We hope it will inspire more young players from the region to take up the sport.”
Notably, this twomatch series is not only a highlight for Delhi but is also part of Hockey India's vision to promote the sport across the country. In recent years, Hockey India has tried to expand beyond Odisha and take the sport to other cities as well. Odisha has become a hub for hockey. Last year, Chennai hosted the men's Asian Champions Trophy while Ranchi welcomed both the women's Asian Champions Trophy and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers.
This November, Rajgir, a city in Bihar, will host the upcoming Women's Asian Champions Trophy, which will add another chapter to the growing influence of hockey in India. Now, as international hockey returns to Delhi, Hockey India is ensuring that the sport continues to flourish in various fields.
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– / Written By Top News Bulletin
Image Credit: KhasKhabar.