The International Hockey Federation (FIH) Executive Board has recently announced that India has been awarded the opportunity to host the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup. This highly-anticipated tournament is scheduled to take place in December 2025, and is set to feature 24 teams, marking the first time in history that a Junior World Cup will include such a large number of participants.
FIH president Tayyab Ikram has expressed his enthusiasm for this decision, stating that the expansion of participating teams aligns with the organization’s Empowerment and Engagement strategy, which aims to provide greater opportunities for National Associations to showcase their talent. Recognizing the value of diversity, Ikram highlighted the successful implementation of this approach in the recent FIH Hockey5s World Cup held in Oman.
In addition to the positive reception from FIH, the decision to host the prestigious event in India has been met with elation from officials of Hockey India. Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, conveyed his organization’s gratitude to FIH for entrusting them with the responsibility of hosting the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup. He emphasized the positive impact that such an event will have on India’s standing in the global hockey community and its contribution to the development of the sport for future generations.
Echoing this sentiment, Bhola Nath Singh, the secretary general of Hockey India, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to host the tournament. He underscored the significance of the event as a catalyst for further elevating the sport of hockey in India and around the world. Both officials affirmed their commitment to ensuring that the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup will be a memorable and inspiring experience that celebrates the essence of hockey.
The announcement comes on the heels of the last edition of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, which took place in 2023 in Malaysia and was won by Germany. As the host nation for the upcoming event, India is poised to showcase its rich hockey history and provide a platform for young talents to display their skills on an international stage.
The decision to award India the hosting rights for the 2025 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup not only underscores the country’s growing influence in the world of hockey, but also reflects the FIH’s confidence in India’s ability to organize and host a world-class event. This development is undoubtedly a significant milestone for the sport of hockey in India and is poised to leave a lasting impact on the global hockey community.