Delhi to host Champions Trophy, Olympic qualifiers

NEW DELHI - The Indian capital will host the Champions Trophy in December and the men’s and women’s qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) said.

FIH said in a statement FIH that its president Leandro Negre met Indian Sports Minister Ajay Maken and discussed development projects.

“The meeting was very constructive during which Negre reaffirmed FIHs position regarding its recognition of Hockey India as the sole governing body for hockey in India. Maken undertook to support the development of hockey in India,” FIH said.

Negre also met officials of Hockey India to discuss the hosting of FIHs four competitions in India.

The launch of the proposed Professional Hockey League was also discussed and a final decision on the league will be taken in FIH’s Executive Board meeting next month.

“The programme will begin with the mens Champions Trophy, which will take place in Delhi Dec 1-11. It will be followed by a combined mens and womens Olympic qualifier in early 2012. After the highly successful Hero Honda FIH World Cup, FIH committed six of its major events to India over a four-year period as an integral part of its campaign to re-energise hockey in the country,” the statement said.