Pakistan is to be a part of the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup played in India, starting from 8th-18th December 2016. The Pakistan National Junior Hockey team has got the clearance from the Government of Pakistan to play in India. The government has issued an NOC in this regard.
Since the atmosphere between India and Pakistan can not be termed as peaceful. This tournament, the least gives hope in the right direction.Its a big relief for the Junior Hockey Team which wants to prove its mantle on the world’s biggest stage.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation officials were nervous about getting the NOC, but it got a big relief on getting one from the government. This tournament would definitely help nurture budding hockey stars from all over the globe.
Junior Hockey World Cup December 8th-18th
Under Olympian Tahir Zaman the Pakistan Hockey Federation has set up camp for the Junior Hockey Team at Lahore. The Team has been training hard and do fancy their chances with the Golden Statue. The Federation under the guidance of PHF secretary got a bonus of Twenty Million Rupees, as a special grant from the Pakistan Sports Board.
In the 16 Nation Tournament the qualified teams are India, Netherlands, Germany, England, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New-Zealand, Egypt, South Africa, Argentina and Canada.
The tournament was started in 1979 and since 1985 it has been held every four years.
This is the Eleventh Edition of the Junior Hockey World Cup. Germany has claimed the elite trophy a record 6 times. Argentina, Australia, India and Pakistan have each won the tournament once.
Junior Hockey World Cup
The Junior Indian Hockey team is also among the favorites to clinch the Gold. Drag flicker and defender Harmanpreet Singh, who has been nominated for the 2016 Rising Star of the Year award from the FIH has already played in the 2016 RIO Olympics.
About the team’s composition Roelant Oltmans stated that “The final combination has been formed keeping in mind the recent results. I believe this team combination is the best we have in junior hockey and the boys are ready both mentally and physically to do everything it takes to stand on the podium. Though our goal is to win the gold medal, we will be taking it match-by-match and the best part is that this group knows how to keep their emotions in check,”
Team India start their campaign on the 8th December against Canada. Wishing that the best take the Gold.
The matches can be seen live on Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD 4.
