Patna: Bihar is set to host the much-anticipated Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024, an international field hockey tournament celebrating the athleticism and sportsmanship of top women athletes across Asia. The tournament will take place from November 11 to November 20 in Rajgir, marking Bihar’s growing prominence in the world of sports.
The opening ceremony, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on November 11, will be inaugurated by Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, adding to the excitement surrounding the event.
The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, established in 2010 and organized by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) alongside the host country’s National Hockey Federation, has become a biennial showcase of Asia’s top six women’s field hockey teams. India previously hosted both the Men’s and Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2023, held in Chennai and Ranchi respectively.
India’s recent triumph in the 2023 edition in Ranchi, where the national team clinched the title, has added to its impressive record, positioning it alongside Japan with two championships. India’s earlier title victory was in 2016 in Singapore, while the team also finished as runners-up twice (2013 in Japan and 2018 in South Korea). South Korea leads the title count, having won three times, with Japan and India following closely.
The tournament has been hosted in several countries over the years, with South Korea hosting thrice (2010, 2018, and 2021). Other past hosts include China, Japan, and Singapore, each holding the event once.
As the region prepares to welcome athletes and fans alike, Bihar’s hosting of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy represents a significant step in promoting women’s sports and fostering international sportsmanship in India.
