Dubai sees off competition to host Asia Cup

Dubai: Dubai will host the 2009 Asia Cup hockey tournament. The UAE beat strong contenders like India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Bangladesh to stage the event.

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) executive council, which met in Hyderabad, India, on Friday took the decision to grant the event to Dubai.

The dates of the tournament are yet to be finalised.

"The city of Dubai has been given the right to host the 2009 senior Asia Cup. Our Federation took the decision to spread the game in the region," remarked P. Alagendra, the AHF Secretary General.

This will be first time that Asia Cup will be staged in the Middle East region.

Dubai Sports City's state of the art hockey stadium, which will be ready by the beginning of 2009 will be the venue for the event.

Apart from the Asia Cup, the AHF Council also decided to organise the first Asian Champions Trophy for both men and women. There are also plans to stage a six match Test series between Asia and Europe. Dubai, being centrally located, may also stage this event.

Returning to game

After the only astro turf in Dubai at the Central Military Command (CMC) was demolished, hockey in UAE had halted.

"The Dubai Sports City hockey stadium will be ready by February-March," remarked U. Balasubramaniam, the Chief Executive of the Dubai Sports City.

India, who were keen to stage this event is understood to have backed out after they were won the bid to host the 2010 hockey World Cup in New Delhi.

Malaysia had also strongly bid for the event but the council voted in favour of Dubai which will not only have one of the best stadiums in the region but will host the International Hockey Federation's Academy to be known as the World Hockey Academy.

The Asia Cup will be a qualifying event for the 2010 World Cup. Participating teams are India, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.