Twitter
Advertisement

Hockey to be 60-minute affair in Asian Games

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The success of the experiments carried out by India at the Hockey India League and the European League has prompted the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to take the plunge and move from the 70 minutes with two halves format to a 60-minute and four quarters format. The change will come into the effect with the Asian Games in Korea later this year.
The president of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Leandro Negre, said here on Sunday that the FIH was excited at the new rules coming into force.
The Asian Games is the first of the Continental championships from where the winner will qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
"Our rule changes are aimed at making hockey a more exciting sport for the audiences, and the feedback we have received about the four-quarter format from the Hockey India League and the European League has been very positive," said Negre. The same format will then be used at the Rio Olympics.
The FIH has also announced that the next World Cup, to be held in India, will have 16 teams as against 12 participating in the latest edition that ended here on Sunday.
But the FIH may no longer sanction both the men's and women's events to the same city, because with 32 teams, the logistics will be difficult to handle and also the marketing possibilities and overall media exposure get reduced.
Negre said, "We are open to ideas and bids but it might be difficult in future cities hosts to stage a joint World Cup with a total of 32 teams. From the marketing aspect, I have been told that two World Cups in different cities are a better prospect."

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement