Eight nations and 150 players, along with numerous officials, have gathered in the ancient town of Rajgir in Bihar for the Hockey Asia Cup, an event that also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup. However, the spotlight seems to extend beyond the sport itself, as the tournament unfolds against a politically charged backdrop. With state elections approaching later this year, banners and posters of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar dominate the 99.7-acre, Rs 600-crore venue.
Seeking a fifth consecutive term in office, Kumar’s presence is ubiquitous-his image featuring on stadium banners, team buses, and even floating on balloons above the ground. He smiles from digital advertisements surrounding the field and watches over the games from giant hoardings positioned near the stands. Furthermore, he has promoted the Asia Cup on the state government’s website.
Kumar unveiled the tournament’s logo, mascot, and trophy, and he inaugurated the event on August 29. Before a match between India and China, he greeted thousands of fans with a lap around the stadium that lasted nearly 15 minutes. The Chief Minister expressed hope that the Asia Cup would place Bihar on the global sports map, stating that the event shows the state’s rising influence in international sports.
Using hockey as a platform for political and economic gain is not new; for over a decade, Odisha has effectively marketed itself through the sport by investing significantly in infrastructure and hosting international events in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
This marks only the third occasion since 2014 that a senior men’s international tournament in India is being held outside Odisha, following the 2014-15 FIH World League Final in Raipur and the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.
Bihar State Sports Authority Director General Raveendran Sankaran contended that the tournament was planned years in advance and not influenced by the imminent elections. “If this had been rushed due to the elections, it would be a different story,” he remarked to The Indian Express. “We started planning two years ago when Hockey India approached us after the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, held in Rajgir last year.”
Sankaran emphasized that the real aim is to enhance the state’s sporting landscape. Despite the rapid growth of sports across India, Bihar has lagged behind, lacking international hockey players and finishing 28th at the last National Games.
State officials noted that sports have gained priority in recent years, with significant financial investments across various disciplines, including athletics and rugby. Sankaran mentioned that the budget for sports has skyrocketed from Rs 30 crore in 2022 to a projected Rs 680 crore for 2025-26.
Rajgir, located nearly 100 km from Patna and with little sporting legacy, serves as an unlikely venue for such a prestigious competition. The rural setting, surrounded by fields and hills, does not suggest that a major tournament is underway.
Police patrol the quiet streets to ensure the safety of visiting teams, which is the sole indicator of its significance in this otherwise tranquil area. For instance, a policeman standing outside a modest hotel housing the South Korean team highlights the unusual nature of this gathering in the small town.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/hockey/poll-bound-bihar-hosts-asia-cup-hockey-nitish-kumar-field-day-10229228/
Category: Hockey,Sports
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Publish Date: 2025-09-04 08:48:00
