As you can see by the news that even this year all International field hockey teams are making plans and their moves to begin preparing for 2018.
Surprisingly it will not be held in China. You’d think that with the lengths the Chinese are going to in order to secure sporting events they missed the golden opportunity to host the 2018 Field Hockey World Cup.
They settled instead for the lesser role of having both the summer and winter games held after 2018 in 2022. Perhaps they will realize their mistake by then and Host the FIH World Cup as well. This would, of course, be a much more prestigious event (well maybe not but still).
However, for 2018, India has managed to snag the coveted Men’s event with England Field Hockey hosting the Women’s Field Hockey World Cup.
Most people have never heard of this city, but it ranks, believe it or not, as the 2nd largest tourist draw in India, also called the “City of Temples” It hosts some of the most beautiful temple art in the world rivaling that of Bangkok Thailand and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Some say it even surpasses them.
But this city isn’t just a tourist attraction it is a modern city with all the amenities the World Cup Players are used to and expect from a world-class city.
Bhubaneswar is one of the fastest growing cities in Indian economically and by 2018 it may eclipse New Delia and Mumbai as the IT and technological center of this country of over a billion souls.
This city is where the newly expanded FIH 16 men’s teams will fight their way to the top for the ultimate title of World champions. Though India is the favorite to win there really is no telling who the ultimate victor will be.
India’s neighbor Pakistan has won the Cup 4 times and India 3 appearances and one win, so expect some national rivalry to heat things up.
An amusing anecdote about the Indian team is the fact, the family name of Singh is the most common name on the team and one commentator during a match confused himself and his audience with constant references to the name.
In an amusing event that occurred during one match it went something like “Singh passing to Singh and Singh taking the shot with the help of Singh.”
In fact, in one segment of play the name Singh was mentioned 6 times in one phrase.
So, for 2018 you had better make sure your Internet and streaming video is up and working or you may not be able to follow the action.
So all in all the FIH is expected to make a big production of it all and if the world rankings are to be believed, it should be a heated battle during the playoffs to get there as well.
Of the top 5 right now, 4 are euro based and that means Australia, which is currently the king will have to hold its top spot against Germany, the Netherlands, England, and Belgium.
But lurking at the #8 & 10 positions are India and Pakistan so the entire ranking can change in an instant. Especially at the end of 2017 and ramping up to 2018’s big event where anything goes and upsets will happen.
Stay turned to our blog to see more updates as the World Cup drawers closer.