Tirkey Welcomes Women’s Hockey Back to Bhopal: “Hockey Is Being Revived in Cities Where the Sport Was Once Popular”
Bhopal has waited years for a night like the one coming on 19 November. Now the head of Indian hockey says the wait itself is the point.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has welcomed the return of international women’s hockey to Bhopal, ahead of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy starting there next Thursday. The tournament runs 19 to 28 November at the new International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda, and it brings international women’s hockey back to Bhopal after several years.
“A tournament is being held in Bhopal after many years. There was a time when Bhopal had a strong domestic hockey culture, and many players emerged from the city,” Tirkey said. “An international women’s hockey match is also being held in Bhopal after several years. This is a good development, as hockey is being revived in cities where the sport was once popular. This will help more players from these regions emerge in the future.”
He’s got a point. Indian hockey spent years funnelling everything through the same few centres. Bhubaneswar, Ranchi, Rourkela. All of them earned it. But Bhopal has its own hockey history, and a brand-new stadium with room for around 5,000 sitting there deserves a tournament, not just a ribbon-cutting. This is how you grow the game in a country this size: take the big nights to new cities and let them catch the bug.
India arrive as champions, and as Asian Games winners
For the Indian team, Bhopal is the first stop after the biggest month in their history. They won Asian Games gold in Japan last month, a win that also sealed direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Now they come home as defending Asian Champions Trophy holders, chasing a third straight title after lifting the trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Salima Tete captains the side again. Savita Punia, who captained the Asian Games triumph, has been rested, with Bansari Solanki and Bichu Devi Kharibam sharing the goalkeeping. The squad is young in places and settled in others, and the home crowd will expect nothing less than a final on 28 November.
The draw hasn’t been kind to anyone, least of all the hosts. Six teams, everyone plays everyone once, and the top four go through to the semi-finals on 27 November. China, Asia’s top-ranked side, open the tournament against Thailand at 1pm IST (12:30pm PKT) on 19 November. Japan meet South Korea at 3:15pm IST (2:45pm PKT). Then India walk out against Malaysia at 7pm IST (6:30pm PKT), straight after the opening ceremony.
India’s road after that: South Korea on 21 November, Thailand on 22 November, China on 24 November, Japan on 25 November. All of India’s games start at 7pm IST, 6:30pm PKT, under lights. Every match is free to attend, and Star Sports and Hotstar carry the broadcast.
Why this one matters beyond the trophy
Tirkey’s message was really about the map, not the medal. Now Bhopal gets its turn. The pattern is deliberate: new cities, new stadiums, new local heroes for kids to copy.
Bhopal gets its first taste on Thursday. If the city takes to it the way Tirkey hopes, it won’t be the last.
