Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and the Singapore Hockey Federation have agreed to host the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2016 at Singapore’s Sengkang Hockey Stadium from October 29 to November 6, 2016. Hosting the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy this year is the latest coup for the small but mighty Singapore Hockey Federation that has amassed an impressive record of successful initiatives recently, including efforts in all areas from events to development and commercial to marketing and communications. The AHF is the governing body for the sport of hockey in Asia, recognised by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Founded in 1958, the AHF today has 31 member National Associations and organises and sanctions more than twenty types of continental and regional events across all levels and age groups as well as overseeing the hockey competitions in several multi-sport events such as the Asian Games.

The world class facilities of the Sengkang Hockey Stadium have accommodated a number of high-profile events previously, including matches of the 2009 FIH Junior World Cup and the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, as well as more recently, the 2015 SEA Games and the Men’s and Women’s Hockey World League Round 1 event two months ago. Part of the Sengkang Sports Centre complex, which also houses four swimming pools, various indoor facilities and a community club, the Sengkang Hockey Stadium features two green pitches with a seating capacity of 1500 at the main pitch. With the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy scheduled less than three months after the Olympic hockey tournament in Rio, which includes a record four Asian women’s teams (Korea, China, Japan and India), the four powerhouses will clash again for the continental crown in Singapore. Rounding out the field of five participants is the team from Malaysia who won a bronze medal in their first Women’s Asian Champions Trophy appearance three years ago.

First introduced in 2010 to create an opportunity for teams to gather more high-level competition experience, the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy has taken place three times so far, for the last time in 2013. In past Asian Champions Trophy editions, Korea have been the most successful team with two Asian Champions Trophy golds, while Japan have medaled in each edition, claiming silver in 2010, bronze in 2011 and finally, gold in 2013. All teams participating in this year’s event have participated in a Women’s Asian Champions Trophy at least once before, and reached the podium at least once, which suggests competition will be fierce.

The Asian Champions Trophy 2016 will follow a round robin format, with each team playing each other once, followed by gold and bronze medal matches. A detailed match schedule will be released by the Asian Hockey Federation in the coming weeks.

The Asian Hockey Federation has also confirmed that through a recent decision by the International Hockey Federation, Asian Champions Trophy events are included in the continental ranking element of the FIH World Ranking system from the next update. From that point onwards, the continental rankings for Asia will be calculated across a four-year cycle, taking into account the results of Asian Games, Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophies held during that time.

Furthermore, the Asian Champions Trophy will not only be part of the system that determines continental ranking but will be considered part of the qualification systems for future Olympic Games and World Cups, which means that any team that is invited and declines participation in or withdraws from the Asian Games/Asia Cup and Asian Champions Trophy cannot qualify for the relevant Olympic Games or World Cup.