Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 Inaugurated by CM Nitish Kumar in Rajgir | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday inaugurated the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at the newly constructed Hockey Stadium located in the Bihar Sports University-cum-state sports complex at Rajgir in Nalanda district.
The tournament, which is being jointly organised by Hockey India, Asian Hockey Federation, Bihar govt’s sports department, and the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), will continue till November 20.
In the last edition of the tournament, the Women in Blue won their second title after defeating Japan 4-0. Besides defending champion India, reigning Olympic silver medallist China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand are participating in the tournament.
For the first time, Bihar is hosting an international hockey tournament. “It is a matter of great pride for Bihar that it is hosting this international hockey tournament,” a communique issued from the CM’s office said.
The national anthem of all six participating countries was played at the stadium during the inaugural event. The CM also posed for a group picture with the captains of all six teams.
A total of 20 matches will be played during the event. Two matches—Japan vs Korea and China vs Thailand—were played on Monday before the event’s inauguration.
India registered a grand victory over Malaysia by 4-0 on the inaugural day. The host country will play its second match against Korea on November 12. After a day’s rest, India will face Thailand on November 14.
On November 16, India will play against China and conclude the pool stage with a match against Japan on November 17.
On this occasion, the CM also inaugurated a newly developed athlete track and football ground in the same sports complex. Accompanied by the cabinet colleagues and officers, the CM further inspected the athlete track and the football ground.
Nitish also inspected the office of the Bihar Sports University and the State Sports Complex.
“A foolproof security plan has been chalked out for players, stadium, spectators, and visitors. Additional forces and escort vehicles have also been deployed for the security of the players right from the hotels, where they will be staying, to the stadium,” an official of the BSSA said.
Arrangements have also been made for the participating teams to visit prominent tourist attractions in and around Bodh Gaya and Rajgir, he said.
The tournament, which is being jointly organised by Hockey India, Asian Hockey Federation, Bihar govt’s sports department, and the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA), will continue till November 20.
In the last edition of the tournament, the Women in Blue won their second title after defeating Japan 4-0. Besides defending champion India, reigning Olympic silver medallist China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand are participating in the tournament.
For the first time, Bihar is hosting an international hockey tournament. “It is a matter of great pride for Bihar that it is hosting this international hockey tournament,” a communique issued from the CM’s office said.
The national anthem of all six participating countries was played at the stadium during the inaugural event. The CM also posed for a group picture with the captains of all six teams.
A total of 20 matches will be played during the event. Two matches—Japan vs Korea and China vs Thailand—were played on Monday before the event’s inauguration.
India registered a grand victory over Malaysia by 4-0 on the inaugural day. The host country will play its second match against Korea on November 12. After a day’s rest, India will face Thailand on November 14.
On November 16, India will play against China and conclude the pool stage with a match against Japan on November 17.
On this occasion, the CM also inaugurated a newly developed athlete track and football ground in the same sports complex. Accompanied by the cabinet colleagues and officers, the CM further inspected the athlete track and the football ground.
Nitish also inspected the office of the Bihar Sports University and the State Sports Complex.
“A foolproof security plan has been chalked out for players, stadium, spectators, and visitors. Additional forces and escort vehicles have also been deployed for the security of the players right from the hotels, where they will be staying, to the stadium,” an official of the BSSA said.
Arrangements have also been made for the participating teams to visit prominent tourist attractions in and around Bodh Gaya and Rajgir, he said.
