India is the only South Asian nation to have both its men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams competing at this year\u2019s FIH Hockey World Cup, reflecting the growing competitiveness of Indian hockey at the highest level of international sport. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The IOA and Hockey India stand united with millions of hockey fans across the country in extending their full support and best wishes to the Indian teams as they compete on the global stage,\" IOA said in a release. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The World Cup provides both teams with an important opportunity to compete against the world\u2019s best and further strengthen their high-performance pathways as India prepares for a significant sequence of international competitions, including the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and, subsequently, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
P.T. Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association, said: \u201cI extend my heartfelt congratulations to both our men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams on qualifying for the FIH Hockey World Cup. I wish our athletes, coaches and the entire support staff the very best for the tournament. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cCompeting against the world\u2019s best teams at a tournament of this stature is an important part of an athlete\u2019s high-performance journey. The experience gained here will be extremely valuable as we look ahead to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games and, ultimately, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.\" <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Asian Games will be an especially important milestone in the international calendar for Indian hockey. The experience of competing at the World Cup will provide both squads with valuable exposure to high-pressure competition and an opportunity to further develop the tactical, physical and mental attributes required to perform consistently at the highest level. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe Asian Games will be an important opportunity for our hockey teams to test themselves in a major multi-sport environment and to continue building towards our Olympic ambitions. We have immense confidence in both our teams, and I am certain that our players will represent India with the pride, determination and excellence that have always defined Indian hockey,\" she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dilip Kumar Tirkey, President of Hockey India, said, \u201cThe participation of both our men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams at the FIH Hockey World Cup is a testament to the hard work, discipline and ambition of our athletes, coaches and support teams. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOur preparations have been meticulous, and both squads are entering the tournament with a strong tactical approach and the determination to compete against the very best in the world. A World Cup is always a demanding challenge, but it is also an important opportunity for our players to test themselves at the highest level. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dilip Kumar Tirkey, President of Hockey India, said, \u201cThe participation of both our men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams at the FIH Hockey World Cup is a testament to the hard work, discipline and ambition of our athletes, coaches and support teams. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IOA said it remains committed to supporting Indian athletes and teams as they prepare for these major international competitions and to strengthening India\u2019s pursuit of excellence across the Olympic Movement. <\/p>\r\n\r\n