The prestigious Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup Trophy has begun its nationwide journey, visiting 20 cities across India starting Friday. The tour was officially inaugurated by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, FIH President Dato’ Tayyab Ikram, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh, and Treasurer Sekar J. Manoharan. This ambitious initiative aims to build excitement and connect hockey fans from every corner of the country ahead of the tournament, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10, 2025.
A Historic Journey
The trophy tour marks a historic moment for Indian hockey, especially as the country celebrates the centenary of Hockey India. The journey began at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi during the Hockey India Centenary Celebrations. From there, the trophy will travel through 20 cities, including Chandigarh, Amritsar, Lucknow, Jammu, Pune, Hyderabad, and more, before returning to Tamil Nadu for the start of the World Cup. The itinerary covers regions from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Kerala in the south, ensuring that fans across India can witness the iconic trophy up close.
Uniting the Nation Through Hockey
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey emphasized the significance of the tour, stating, “The idea behind the Trophy Tour is to take the excitement of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup to every corner of India. This is a historic moment for Indian hockey as we host the largest-ever edition of the Junior World Cup with 24 teams. We want fans from every part of the country to feel connected to the tournament and send their best wishes to the Indian team before they begin their campaign in Chennai.”
Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, “From Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Kerala in the south, this Trophy Tour is a unique initiative that unites the hockey fraternity ahead of a prestigious global event. Starting the journey during the Hockey India Centenary Celebrations in New Delhi adds greater significance to this milestone moment.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
The Trophy Tour is not just about celebrating the sport; it’s also about inspiring young athletes. Local events, media interactions, and school visits are planned at each stop, giving thousands of young players the opportunity to see the World Cup trophy up close. The initiative reflects Hockey India’s commitment to growing the sport at the grassroots level by inspiring future champions and creating awareness about the international tournament.
Tournament Details
The 2025 Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup will be hosted in Chennai and Madurai, marking the first time India has hosted the event in Tamil Nadu. The tournament will see 24 teams from around the globe competing for one of the sport’s most prestigious titles. India, the defending bronze medalist from the 2023 edition, will enter the home tournament as one of the favorites, buoyed by strong recent performances at the junior level.
Cities on the Tour
The Trophy Tour will visit the following cities:
New Delhi
Panchkula, Haryana
Chandigarh
Amritsar, Punjab
Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Kolkata, West Bengal
Raipur, Chhattisgarh
Ranchi, Jharkhand
Patna, Bihar
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Guwahati, Assam
Pune, Maharashtra
Hyderabad, Telangana
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
A Celebration of Unity and Passion
As the trophy makes its way through these cities, each stop will be a festival of hockey, celebrating India’s enduring love for the sport and its proud role as a global host. The tour promises to turn every city into a hub of excitement, uniting fans and inspiring the next generation of hockey champions.
For more inspiring sports moments and top highlights, check out our latest roundup at Sports News Top 25 Inspiring Highlights.
