India will host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament for the first time from August 3 to 12 in Chennai, with international matches returning to the city after 15years. The seventh edition of the prestigious continental event, which was inaugurated in 2011, will serve as a precursor to the Asian Games hockey competition in Hangzhou, China in September.

Chennai’s last date with hockey, back in 2008, could probably be termed as a fond but distant memory. Stars such as Prabhjot Singh, Rajpal Singh and Shivendra Singh were among those who plied their trade in the India blue, in the Asia Cup tournament.

Chennai and the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium had to wait for their turn to host the national team.

A Hockey India committee is overseeing the preparations for the tournament which includes finalising two training grounds for the teams.

 Asian hockey powerhouse and three-time champion Pakistan as well as China are yet to confirm their participation in the tournament to be played at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium. Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said hosting of the tournament in the southern metropolis will help in the revival of the sport in the region. "It is indeed a great pleasure and honour to host the Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Chennai which was once the capital of hockey in South India with many reputed domestic and international events being held here," the minister said here on Monday."I believe hosting the Hero Asian Champions Trophy here will further revive the sport in the region and watching top teams in Asia will also inspire the younger generation to take up hockey as a career." Chennai last hosted an international hockey event in 2007 when the Asia Cup was held at Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium where India clinched the title after beating Korea 7-2 in the final.

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