From Rajgir to the North East: Hockey India’s Push to Spread the Sport Nationwide

From Rajgir to the North East: Hockey India’s Nationwide Push.

India has become a regular host of International Hockey Federation (FIH) events in recent years. From the Men’s Hockey World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in January 2023 to the ongoing Asia Cup in Rajgir, fans have consistently turned up in large numbers, underscoring hockey’s strong following across the country.

In this period, marquee tournaments have been staged in Ranchi, Chennai, and Delhi as Hockey India deliberately spreads the sport to new geographies, ensuring hockey gets recognition beyond its traditional hubs.

FIH events hosted in India (2023–25):

• Men’s Hockey World Cup – Bhubaneswar & Rourkela (Jan 2023)
• Men’s Asian Champions Trophy – Chennai (Aug 2023)
• Women’s Asian Champions Trophy – Ranchi (Oct 2023)
• Hockey Olympic Qualifier – Ranchi (Jan 2024)
• India vs Germany Test Series – Delhi (Oct 2024)
• Women’s Asian Champions Trophy – Rajgir (Nov 2024)

And the calendar is far from empty. The Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup will head to Chennai and Madurai later this year (Nov 28–Dec 10), showcasing some of the brightest young talent in world hockey.

Why not stick to Bhubaneswar?

With world-class facilities like the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, it would be easy for Hockey India to centralise events. But under president Dilip Tirkey, the governing body has adopted a new strategy: take hockey to states where the sport once thrived but lost visibility.

“When the new body was formed, we saw that hockey was limited to only some states. But there are others where hockey has a little craze, yet international matches had never happened there,” Tirkey explains.

“Matches should happen in such places so that hockey becomes popular. In many states, hockey existed for years but wasn’t promoted properly, and the craze reduced. So we thought of hosting tournaments there. That’s how Rajgir was chosen.”

Reviving forgotten centres

Tirkey’s approach is about more than just logistics—it’s about reviving dormant hockey cultures. By staging international events in cities and states with historical connections to the sport, Hockey India hopes to reignite local enthusiasm, inspire younger players, and spread the game’s footprint nationwide.

The selection of Rajgir proved to be a masterstroke, with fans coming in as early as 9 am IST and staying all the way till the India vs China game, which started at 3 pm. The energy inside the stadium was electrifying as all the teams competing received support from the crowd.

Setting up new bases for hockey in India
The goal for Hockey India now isn’t to rest on its laurels and be content with the existing bases, according to Mr. Tirkey. He wants the game to be taken to areas where a fan base can be cultivated.

“This is a new system of Hockey India. Earlier in Delhi, after many years, two matches happened. In Rajgir, two big tournaments have happened – Women’s Asian Champions Trophy and now Men’s Hockey Asia Cup.”

“So going forward, we will look at other places also where matches haven’t happened for a long time. Hockey India is thinking like that, to set up more bases for matches. That is exactly our focus,” said Mr. Tirkey.

The Hockey India president also revealed that many states, including the North East, are in the federation’s plans to host FIH events in the future. He stated that HI is open to taking the game to regions where state governments show interest in conducting international events.

“Last year, the Asian Champions Trophy was in Chennai with Tamil Nadu government support, and it was very well organized. We are also viewing Punjab, where there is a lot of hockey craze and international events used to happen in the state in the past. In UP, we are thinking. In Jharkhand, two years back, for the first time, an international event happened – Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. In Maharashtra also we are looking, same with Karnataka. And if we get the chance, even in the North East, we want to organise events.”

“In the North East region, there is also a lot of hockey, so international matches should happen there too. Right now, for us, it is open; we can do it in any state. Wherever government starts showing interest, we are ready to organise international events there,” said Mr. Tirkey.

More than being a bold move, this is one that suits Hockey India very well. If Rajgir is anything to go by, more events in places like this will bring attention to the sport — a sport that needs care and love from its supporters not just to grow, but to thrive.