State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 20 Aug 2025

12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship

Why in News? 

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo, mascot, and trophy for the 12th Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Championship. 

• The Chief Minister also flagged off the Trophy Pride Journey, a symbolic torch relay that will travel through all districts of Bihar leading up to the tournament.

Key Points 

• About: The tournament will take place from 29th August 2025 (National Sports Day and Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary) to 7th September 2025 at the Rajgir International Stadium, marking the first time Bihar is hosting the event. 
  • Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the event following an MoU signed between Hockey India and the Bihar State Sports Authority. 
  • This is the second international sporting event for Rajgir, after hosting the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2024. 
• Tournament Details: The tournament will feature teams from India, China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, South Korea, Oman, and Bangladesh. 
  • The tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 International Hockey Federation (FIH) Men’s Hockey World Cup, to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.  
  • The winner will qualify directly for the Hockey World Cup. 
• Mascot: The official mascot, Chand, symbolizes the courage and agility of India’s national animal, the tiger, and is inspired by Major Dhyan Chand, India's legendary hockey player. 
  • Chand’s Design: The red cape represents strength, and the magician’s hat honors Dhyan Chand's extraordinary talent.

Asian Hockey Federation (AHF)

• The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) was founded during the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958, during which hockey made its first Asian Games appearance.  
• The five founding AHF member countries were India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Pakistan. 
• As one of the five Continental Federations, AHF assists the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in promoting, developing, and administering the sport by supporting its Member National Associations through high-performance projects, grants, equipment, and technical guidance.