India to host 2020 junior men’s Hockey World Cup

India will host the Junior Men’s (Under-21) Hockey World Cup in late 2021. The Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup will be held in Poshfostroom (South Africa). This will be the first time that the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup will be held on African soil and its dates will be announced later. The dates and venue of the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup to be held in India will also be announced later. The announcement was made by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in Lausanne on Monday.

Defending champions India will host the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup for the second time in a row. India last won the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup by defeating Belgium 2–1 in the final under Harjeet Singh’s captaincy in Lucknow in 2016. India has qualified directly for the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup as the host nation. At the same time, India’s junior women’s hockey team is yet to qualify for the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup.

According to sources, Raipur can host junior men’s hockey in India. Chhattisgarh has shown interest in hosting it. In this regard, a round of discussion has also taken place between FIH President Dr. Narinder Batra and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

The Junior Men and Women Hockey World Cup feature the best youngsters from around the world. This tournament is a chance to establish the best under-21 male and female hockey players from all over the world as a future star by showcasing their talent on the international stage. The men and women will compete for 16–16 for the title in the Junior World Cup.

The quota of 16 teams from different continents participating in it is as follows:

Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup: 4 teams including hosts from Asia and defending champions India. 6 teams from Europe, 2-2 teams from Africa, Oceania and Pan America.

Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup: Two teams including hosts South Africa from Africa. 3 teams from Asia, 6 from Europe, 3 from Pan America and two from Oceania.

The following six teams qualified for the Junior Men’s and Women’s Hockey Worlds from the European Continental Championships in 2019

Men: Germany, England, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, France.

Women: Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Russia, England.

Qualifiers from other continents for Junior World Cup

Asia: April 2020 (Men). June 2020 (Female).

Africa: June 2020, Pan America: December 2020, Oceania (still to be decided).

All qualifiers will be completed on January 1, 2021, and on January 4, FIH will send an invitation to participate in the Junior Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cup to be held in 2021. On January 22, the National Hockey Associations of all different countries will have to confirm their participation in the Junior Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cup.