Because the build-up for the 2023 FIH Males’s Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from January 13 to 29, continues, right here is all you have to learn about the historical past of this prolific match.
Till 1970, Olympics was the largest sporting occasion for hockey. Nonetheless, resulting from its rising recognition the conception of a hockey World Cup was steered by the 2 Asian powerhouses of hockey on the time- India and Pakistan at an Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH) assembly in 1969.
Pakistan’s then hockey federation chief Air Marshal Nur Khan, who additionally served as the top of its cricket and squash federations, performed a significant position within the formulation of this match and the Hockey Champions Trophy.
RELATED HOCKEY WORLD CUP COVERAGE
FIH formally agreed with the plan on October 26, 1969, and at an FIH council assembly in Brussels on April 12, 1970, it was determined that the World Cup was to be held in Pakistan in October 1971. Nonetheless, resulting from frequent conflicts between India and Pakistan over the Liberation of Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, FIH determined to shift the match to Barcelona, Spain.
How has the Males’s Hockey World Cup format modified over time?
The World Cup was an invitational match till 1975, however {qualifications} have been launched in 1977 and has adopted the match format of round-robin stage adopted by knockouts and classification matches to find out the positions.
The match was initially a biennial occasion, with the primary three editions 1971, 1973 and 1975 held each two years. The 1978 version in Argentina was held after three years and ever since, the match is hosted as soon as each 4 years.
This version of the Phrase Cup was alleged to be held in 2022 however the COVID-19 pandemic performed spoilsport. The following version nonetheless, will likely be held in 2026 in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
What number of groups can take part within the Males’s Hockey World Cup?
Whereas there aren’t any set guidelines on the variety of groups that may take part within the World Cup. The inaugural version had 10 groups collaborating and is the smallest version until date.
A number of editions noticed 12 groups competing, excluding the 2002, 2018 and 2023, which consisted of 16 groups.
