Ranchi Gates Hosting of Another International Hockey Tournament

• 23 Oct 2023

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on October 21, 2023, another international hockey championship will be held in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, which will be a qualifying championship for the Olympics to be held in Paris in 2024.

Key Points:

• The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has handed over the hosting rights of the Women's Olympic Qualifiers to India (Ranchi). Earlier this qualifier was to be held in Changzhou, China, but now it will be held from January 13 to 19 at Ranchi (Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium).
• Apart from India, seven countries will participate in this qualifying tournament, out of which the top three will confirm their place in next year's Olympics.
• FIH's other Olympic qualifiers will be played in Muscat, Oman (men, January 15-21, 2024) and Valencia, Spain (women and men, January 13-21, 2024).
• The Indian women's hockey team had finished third in the recently concluded Asian Games in Hangzhou, China and missed out on qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
• India lost 0-4 to hosts China in the women's hockey semi-finals of the Hangzhou Asian Games. The team then had to settle for the bronze medal by defeating Japan 2-1.
• Before the Olympic qualifiers, the Indian team will play in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi from October 27 to November 5. In the tournament, the home team will face Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.