From Rajgir Roots to North East Frontiers: Hockey India’s Drive for Wider Reach

Hockey India Expands Footprint: From Rajgir to the North East.

India has emerged as a steady host for International Hockey Federation (FIH) tournaments in recent years. Starting with the Men’s Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in January 2023 to the ongoing Asia Cup in Rajgir, the country has seen strong turnouts at every venue.

Over the past three years, major events have been staged in Ranchi, Chennai, and Delhi—part of Hockey India’s conscious push to take the sport beyond traditional centres.

FIH events in India (2023–25):

• Men’s Hockey World Cup – Bhubaneswar & Rourkela (Jan 2023)
• Men’s Asian Champions Trophy – Chennai (Aug 2023)
• Women’s Asian Champions Trophy – Ranchi (Oct 2023)
• Hockey Olympic Qualifier – Ranchi (Jan 2024)
• India vs Germany Test Series – Delhi (Oct 2024)
• Women’s Asian Champions Trophy – Rajgir (Nov 2024)

Later this year, the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup will be hosted in Chennai and Madurai (Nov 28–Dec 10), bringing some of world hockey’s top young players to India.

Why diversify venues?

Despite having one of the best hockey facilities in the world at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, Hockey India under president Dilip Tirkey has chosen to rotate venues. Tirkey, who took charge in 2022, says the idea is to revive hockey in regions with historic interest but limited exposure to international matches.

“When the new body was formed, hockey was limited to only some states. But there are others where the game has a craze, yet international matches never happened there,” Tirkey said. “Matches should happen in such places so hockey becomes popular again. In many states, hockey existed for years but the craze reduced. Hosting tournaments there helps bring it back. That’s how Rajgir was chosen.”

Spreading the game

The approach reflects Hockey India’s broader mission: restore the game’s visibility in traditional strongholds while opening new markets across the country. By moving beyond a single venue, the federation hopes to build a wider fan base and inspire a new generation of players.

The selection of Rajgir proved to be a masterstroke, with fans coming in as early as 9 am IST and staying all the way till the India vs China game, which started at 3 pm. The energy inside the stadium was electrifying as all the teams competing received support from the crowd.

Setting up new bases for hockey in India
The goal for Hockey India now isn’t to rest on its laurels and be content with the existing bases, according to Mr. Tirkey. He wants the game to be taken to areas where a fan base can be cultivated.

“This is a new system of Hockey India. Earlier in Delhi, after many years, two matches happened. In Rajgir, two big tournaments have happened – Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and now Men’s Hockey Asia Cup.”

“So going forward, we will look at other places also where matches haven’t happened for a long time. Hockey India is thinking like that, to set up more bases for matches. That is exactly our focus,” said Mr. Tirkey.

The Hockey India president also revealed that many states, including the North East, are in the federation’s plans to host FIH events in the future. He stated that HI is open to taking the game to regions where state governments show interest in conducting international events.

“Last year, the Asian Champions Trophy was in Chennai with Tamil Nadu government support, and it was very well organized. We are also viewing Punjab, where there is a lot of hockey craze and international events used to happen in the state in the past. In UP, we are thinking. In Jharkhand, two years back, for the first time, an international event happened – Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. In Maharashtra also we are looking, same with Karnataka. And if we get the chance, even in the North East, we want to organise events.”

“In the North East region, there is also a lot of hockey, so international matches should happen there too. Right now, for us, it is open; we can do it in any state. Wherever government starts showing interest, we are ready to organise international events there,” said Mr. Tirkey.

More than being a bold move, this is one that suits Hockey India very well. If Rajgir is anything to go by, more events in places like this will bring attention to the sport — a sport that needs care and love from its supporters not just to grow, but to thrive.