New Delhi
Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed his excitement ahead of the two-match bilateral series against Germany, saying the series is about “rekindling the spirit of hockey in the capital”. The two-match series will be played on October 23 and 24 at the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The series will mark the return of men’s international hockey to the capital after a decade, with the last match being played during the Hockey World League Final – Men’s Round 4 in January 2014.
Talking about the upcoming series, Harmanpreet said, “Playing in front of the home fans in Delhi after so many years is really special for us as a team. There is a lot of history and memories at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium and it will be a great honor to lead the team here. The energy of playing in front of our home crowd is unmatched and I know the fans will turn out in large numbers to support us.
He further said, “Germany is one of the top teams in world hockey and playing against them will be a big challenge for us. This is important for our preparation as we gear up for the major tournaments ahead. We have been working hard and this series will give us an opportunity to test ourselves against a very strong opponent.” On the return of international hockey in Delhi, Harmanpreet said, “It has been over a decade since Delhi has hosted an international hockey match and we are excited to bring the game back to the capital. This series is not just about two teams playing; It is about reviving the spirit of hockey in Delhi. We hope this will inspire more young players from the region to take up the sport.”
Notably, this two-match series is not only a highlight for Delhi but is also part of Hockey India’s vision to promote the game across the country. In recent years, Hockey India has expanded beyond Odisha and tried to bring the game to other cities as well. Odisha has become the center of hockey. Last year, Chennai hosted the men’s Asian Champions Trophy, while Ranchi welcomed both the women’s Asian Champions Trophy and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers. Rajgir, a city in Bihar, will host the upcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy this November, adding another chapter to the growing influence of hockey in India. Now, as international hockey returns to Delhi, Hockey India is ensuring that the game continues to flourish across various sectors.
