Picture Credit: Twitter
The eagerly awaited FIH Hockey 5s World Cup 2024 was officially launched on Sunday, September 3, at a ceremony that took place in Salalah, Oman, and was attended by many important dignitaries. The FIH also announced the pools and schedule for the first edition of the tournament.
In the women’s category, India were drawn with the United States, Poland, and Namibia in Pool C. The hosts, Oman, were drawn in Pool A along with Malaysia, Fiji, and the Netherlands. Australia, South Africa, Ukraine, and Zambia are placed in Pool B, while New Zealand, Uruguay, Thailand, and Paraguay complete Pool D.
In the men’s competition, India will compete against Egypt, Switzerland, and Jamaica in Pool B. The Netherlands are drawn with Pakistan, Poland, and Nigeria in Pool A, while Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago and Kenya are the teams in Pool C. Hosts Oman are drawn against Malaysia, the United States, and Fiji in Pool D.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram, in his message, congratulated all the 32 teams that qualified for the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup, as he said, “I would like to congratulate all the 16 men’s and women’s teams that will be a part of the record books as the first teams to compete in an FIH Hockey5s World Cup! You represent the very best of Hockey5s, and you will be the trailblazers and the role models for all future players who take up this new and exciting format of our beloved sport.”
Both India women and men’s teams have claimed gold medals at the inaugural edition and will be strong contenders at the World Cup next year. In the women’s competition, India has gone unbeaten throughout the tournament, while the men got their revenge with a penalty shootout win against Pakistan in the finals after losing in the group stage.
