India to feature in 8th Women's Champions Challenge 1 hockey tourney in Scotland

Indian women hockey team

Indian women’s hockey team will take part in the eighth Women’s Champions Challenge 1 hockey tournament to be held in Scotland from April 27 to May 4 next year.

The tournament will be staged at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green – a newly-constructed venue specially designed to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

It may be mentioned here that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) recently allocated this event to Scotland.

The women’s Champions Challenge 1 tournament is held every two years and was first conducted in 2002.

The winner of this event earns a direct berth for the 2016 Champions Trophy.

India will be pitted against Korea who will be the top-ranked side in the tournament.

Besides India and Korea, 10th ranked USA, 11th ranked South Africa, 13th ranked Belgium, 14th ranked Spain, 15th ranked Ireland and 19th ranked Scotland will battle it out for top honours.

The Champions Challenge concept was put in place by FIH in a bid to broaden the competitive level across the globe.

At the 2002 Champions Challenge in Dublin, Ireland, India turned in a disappointing showing, finishing seventh among eight teams.

India began their campaign with a bang, humbling Wales 3-0 before being inflicted a 1-8 walloping by Australia.

The Blueskirts lost 2-3 to Belgium before they were narrowly defeated by Scotland (3-1) in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.

It is significant to mention that the Indian hockey eves had secured a bronze in the inaugural Women’s ChampionsChallenge 1 hockey tourney in Johannesburg in 2002 – it was their only podium finish in seven editions so far.

The inaugural Women’s Champions Challenge 1 hockey tourney was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, where England cornered glory outwitting Korea 2-1 in the final.

Germany pipped Spain 3-1 to win the 2002 edition.

New Zealand bagged the 2005 edition getting the better of South Africa 2-0 in the final.

China became the first Asian nation to win it in 2007, edging out Korea 2-1 in the final.

New Zealand won it for the second time in 2009, beating South Africa 2-1 in the final.

Japan put it across USA 3-2 to win the 2011 edition, while Australia drubbed USA 6-1 to pocket the 2012 edition.