Patna: The Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025 trophy was accorded a grand and traditional welcome in Patna on Wednesday as part of its nationwide tour ahead of the tournament’s 14th edition, scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 10 in Chennai and Madurai.
At the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan unveiled the trophy after lighting a ceremonial lamp. The event marked a moment of “pride and celebration for Bihar, especially the city of Patna,” officials said.
Senior dignitaries including the Governor’s Principal Secretary R L Chongthu, Additional Chief Secretary (Sports) Dr B Rajender, Director General and CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority Ravindran Sankaran, and Sports Director Mahendra Kumar were present. Dr Rajender presented a commemorative memento to the Governor.
‘A historic moment for Bihar’: Sports Authority
Speaking on the significance of the moment, Ravindran Sankaran, DG-cum-CEO of the Bihar State Sports Authority, said the visit of the trophy was “a historic and proud occasion for all of Bihar.”
He emphasised that this year’s World Cup is one of the most competitive editions, with 24 of the world’s top teams participating, raising the global profile of the event.
Sankaran added that the trophy tour, launched from New Delhi on November 7, is designed to “ignite sporting spirit, inspire young athletes and bring the tournament closer to every Indian household.”
The tour will cover 20 cities, concluding on November 20, in Kerala. Patna, he said, was chosen as one of the stops in recognition of the state’s “growing sports culture and rising international presence.”
India’s strong legacy in the Junior World Cup
India has previously hosted the Junior World Cup four times, and lifted the prestigious trophy twice—in 2001 and 2016. Officials expressed hope that the Indian team would once again deliver an exceptional performance this year.
Sankaran said the trophy symbolises “not just sporting excellence but the dreams, determination and future of millions of young athletes across the country.”
Citywide tour and massive public response
After the ceremony at Raj Bhavan, the trophy travelled across key points in Patna before arriving at the Pataliputra Sports Complex, where a large crowd of athletes, coaches and local residents gathered for a close viewing.
At the stadium, the trophy was placed on public display, followed by a ‘Passing the Ball’ event. Sankaran joined young players, coaches, officials of the Bihar State Sports Authority and Bihar Hockey Association in symbolically passing the hockey ball to encourage emerging talent.
