Champions Challenge hockey in Malaysia

The first men’s Champions Challenge hockey tournament will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 8 to 16.

Argentina, Belgium, India, Japan, Malaysia and South Africa will contest the event, which will be a biannual event, with the winner promoted to next year’s Champions Trophy, to be held in August in Cologne, Germany.

The dates have been adjusted a day later than originally scheduled at the request of the Malaysian Hockey Federation.

The challenge also represents a compelling preview to February’s 10th men’s World Cup, also to be held in Kuala Lumpur, where all six of the Champions Challenge teams will be taking part.

The International Hockey Federation and Indian Hockey Confederation (IHC) had mutually agreed to withdraw the event from Delhi, as it was clear that only a few of the participating nations were able to travel to India under the current political circumstances.

Peter Cohen, FIH hon. secretary general commented, "Again the FIH has been required to respond quickly to challenging international political circumstances and we have again been fortunate to be able to call upon the services of a major hockey event organising nation as a stand-in host.

"The Champions Challenge is an important event to broaden hockey’s competitive base at world level and we are reassured that the Malaysian Hockey Federation will set a high standard of organisation at the inaugural event.”

The FIH is continuing its search for a host for the first women’s Champions Challenge, which was also scheduled to take place in Delhi from December 8-16.