After the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hockey India and Bihar State Sports Authority, the historical city of Bihar will host the Men’s Asia Cup 2025. The tournament will be held from August 29 to September 9 at the recently developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium, which will prove to be an important milestone in the development of India’s sports infrastructure and Bihar’s emergence as a global sports hub. This will be the second international sporting event hosted by Rajgir after the successful Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in November 2024, where India emerged victorious. The Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar in 2025 will serve as a qualifying event for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in 2026. The winner of this tournament will get a prestigious place in the World Cup.
Eight teams including India, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, China and Malaysia will participate in the 12th edition of this continental tournament. The remaining two teams will secure their spots through a qualifying tournament for the AHF Cup. South Korea is the most successful team in the history of the Men’s Asia Cup, having won five titles, followed by India and Pakistan, who have won the tournament three times each. Speaking about hosting the prestigious event in Rajgir, B Rajendra, Additional Chief Secretary, Sports Department, Bihar, said, “The signing of the MoU between Hockey India and Bihar State Sports Authority is an important step towards Bihar becoming a premier sports destination. Hosting the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir is a proud moment for our state, and we are fully committed to ensuring the smooth conduct of the tournament.”
“The newly developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium is a testament to Bihar’s growing sporting infrastructure, and we look forward to welcoming top teams from across Asia. This event will not only raise Bihar’s stature in the international arena, but will also inspire a new generation of hockey players in the region. I would like to thank Hockey India and the Asian Hockey Federation for their support, and we look forward to hosting a world-class tournament.” Meanwhile, speaking on the development, Asian Hockey Federation President Dato’ Fumio Ogura said, “India has always been an important pillar in the development of hockey in our region, and choosing Rajgir as the host city reflects the growing commitment to expand the game beyond the traditional centres. The new infrastructure and enthusiastic hockey culture in Bihar will ensure a great tournament.”
“With World Cup qualification at stake, this will be an exciting event, and we are excited to see high-quality hockey at the tournament.” Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey also shared his thoughts and commented, “Hosting the Asia Cup Rajgir, Bihar 2025 in Rajgir is another important step for Indian hockey. With the Asia Cup serving as a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup, we look forward to high-quality matches full of excitement and skill.” Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh said, “This tournament will not only showcase the best of Asian hockey, but will also promote the game in India and the region. The enthusiasm and passion for hockey is growing in Bihar, and this international event will inspire many young players.”
Comments are closed.