The Sports Ministry is urging Hockey India to designate its top teams for the upcoming Asian Games, sparking discussions on whether distinct squads should be chosen for the continental event and the World Cup later this year to prevent player fatigue. The World Cup is scheduled for August 15 to 30 in Belgium and the Netherlands, while the Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Despite the events not overlapping, concerns are arising due to the limited turnaround time for both male and female players. Men’s head coach Craig Fulton and women’s team counterpart Sjoerd Marijne oppose the idea of fielding two separate teams, advocating for a unified squad for both competitions.
According to a ministry source, ideally, two teams should be formed with the A teams participating in the Asian Games, which serves as an Olympic qualifier. The ministry has advised national federations to have a competitive B team ready at all times. The gold medalists in both men’s and women’s events at the Asian Games will secure a spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The biennial World Cup holds significant importance in the sport, with Fulton and Marijne focusing on achieving results after a challenging previous season. Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh stated that the best teams will be sent to both the Asian Games and World Cup, with squad selections still pending. Concerns over player burnout have been raised in previous years with the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games held in close proximity.
The upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will not feature hockey, alongside major disciplines like shooting, badminton, wrestling, and table tennis.