The good news rolls on for Indian hockey: after trophies, sponsorships and five-star treatment, the Indian team could finally get to play an international tournament at home next year. The proposed tournament, to be held in Chandigarh, will be played between the Afro-Asian Games in October and the Olympics qualifiers in March. Things are at a ‘‘very nascent stage’’, Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) secretary K Jothikumaran told PTI. Though the teams are yet to be finalised, IHF was trying to rope in two countries each from Asia and Europe, besides Argentina, he said. While that tournament isn’t confirmed, what is sure is that India will host the 2005 Champions Trophy. This event, one of hockey’s Big Three tournaments (with the World Cup and the Olympics), will be played in Chennai. The last time it was played here (also the last time India hosted a major tournament) was 1996, when it got the tournament by rotation. This time, International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Els van Breda Vriesman told The Indian Express, it was through a successful bid. ‘‘I am delighted that the Indian hockey team is looking so promising. The most significant ways that the FIH can directly assist hockey development in any country is by allocating major events’’, Vriesman said, adding, ‘‘I hope that India is able to maintain its momentum with success at this and next year’s major tournaments.’’ The Indian team is currently training in Lucknow for this year’s Champions Trophy at Amstelveen (The Netherlands) starting from August 16. While India has won eight Olympics titles and the World Cup once, the Champions Trophy has remained out of reach. Speaking from the USA, Indian Hockey Federation president KPS Gill said he was hopeful that hosting the 2005 tournament would add to the momentum boosting Indian hockey. Former players said that the timing of the 2005 Champions Trophy in India would be a perfect stage for administrators to promote the game. Former skipper Zafar Iqbal said, ‘‘Its an occasion to celebrate. The new generation hasn’t witnessed a hockey tournament of such prestige for a long time.”
