Five founding teams to play the 2011 FIH Champions Trophy
All five squads that contested the maiden version of the Champions Trophy, in 1978, will don colours in the upcoming 33rd edition of the tournament, set to be played from December 3 to 11, in Auckland, New Zealand.
In the inaugural version of the prestigious tournament, Pakistan was clubbed alongside Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and Spain. Pakistan edged past Australia, clinching the first tournament by 2-1.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) under the supervision of the then President, Air Marshal (Ret) Nur Khan, launched the tournament, in 1978, in Lahore. At that time, a trophy purely made of silver was presented to the champions.
Initially it was decided that the event will be played after every two years, comprising of the world’s best six teams according to the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) rankings.
Contrary to the original idea, the world’s governing body converted the event from biennial to annual, after only the second tournament in 1980.
After the five-nation first event, seven squads contested the second version of the Champions Trophy, held in 1980.
A total of six teams participated in the prestigious hockey tournament from 1981 to 2010, excluding 1987 and 2007 where eight squads fought for the trophy.
Once again, eight line-ups will battle out the hunt of the trophy in the 2011 version.
Australia’s Kookaburras are one of the most successful teams, with 12 gold medals to their credit.
Germany and the Netherlands lifted the titles eight times each in the prominent tournament.
Pakistan’s Green-shirts are the only Asian team that won the tournament three times, in 1978, 1980 and in 1994.
Spain is a one-time gold medallist in the Champions Trophy. It won its solo title back in 2004. The Indian team, which reined the sport for decades, did not win a single gold medal since 1978.
The Australian men’s hockey team participated in all the editions of the Champions Trophy, excluding 2004, winning 12 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 4 bronze.
The Netherlands is appearing in the Champions Trophy for the 31st time, while Germany only missed three events.
Pakistan will contest the tournament for the 28th time, as it did not play in the event in 1987, 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
The host, New Zealand, is the least experienced team of the tournament, having played only five editions.
The South Korean team contested the tournament on seven occasions while Great Britain and Spain donned colours in the Champions Trophies 14 and 20 times, respectively.
For the first time, New Zealand will host the most prestigious tournament of its hockey history.
Pakistan hosted the event the highest number of times, eleven, while Australia, Germany and the Netherlands organised the Champions Trophy five times each.
The 33rd edition, where eight teams, namely, Pakistan, Germany, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Spain and the Netherlands, will battle for the title, will be a worth watching tournament.
All the teams are in a good form and anyone can make an upset in the event. Australia, having all the major titles to its credit is considered the most favourite contester for the gold medal.
However, other teams are also at their best, and are counted amongst the toughest participants for the Champions Trophy title.
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