FIH president praises India's professional hockey model
International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram praised India's professional approach to hockey, citing its Olympic bronze medals in 2020 and 2024 as evidence of progress and urging other Asian countries to adopt similar high-performance models. Ikram, who also chairs the coordination committee for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, said global hockey is more competitive now, noting top teams can play for lower placements and outcomes are less predictable. He acknowledged that politics plays a role but can help popularise the sport. The immediate consequence is stronger pressure on Asian federations to professionalise and prepare for upcoming regional events.
India's professional hockey model is a template for Asian teams.
Context
India won bronze medals at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. Ikram praised India's professional approach and urged Asian countries to copy it. Other federations may now consider similar high-performance changes ahead of regional events.
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