Sixth FIH Champions Challenge I to begin in South Africa
One of the major tournaments in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar, the sixth Champions Challenge I, will see the light of the day on November 26, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Champions Challenge I was started by the FIH, back in 2001. In the biannual event, eight teams take part based on the qualification criteria set by the world’s governing body. These teams generally do not play the Champions Trophy.
In the 2011 version, a total of eight teams will don colours in the tournament, they are: Belgium, India, Poland, Argentina, Canada, Japan, Malaysia and the host, South Africa.
The winner of the Asian Champions Trophy, India, is one of the favourite teams in the tournament. However, Canada and Malaysia are also in good form and are counted amongst the toughest contenders for the Champions Challenge I.
The Argentinean men’s hockey team, the champions of the 2011 Pan American Games, is also confident about performing well in the event.
Argentina
The Argentinean men’s field hockey team clinched the eighth gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games, defeating Canada in the finals. It is holding the 8th place in the world rankings and is emerging as a forceful contender of the title in the
Champions Challenge I.
It also has a gold medal to its credit in the Pan America Cup, while two in the Champions Challenge.
India
The 10th ranked team according to the world rankings has an impressive track record in the history of field hockey. India has eight Olympic gold medals to its credit while it also emerged as the World Champion, back in 1975.
Besides this, the Indian team won two titles in the Asia Cups and similar numbers of gold medals in the Asian Games. It also clinched the gold medal in the recently concluded inaugural Asian Champions Trophy.
Canada
The team holding the 11th position in the world ranks made its international debut, back in 1964. However, it did not win any major title thus far other than continental honours. It earned four gold medals in the Pan American Games, while a single
title in the Pan America Cup.
It showed fantastic performances in the recently held Pan American Games, winning a silver medal in the eight-team tournament.
Belgium
Despite a founding member of the International Hockey Federation, Belgium does not have an impressive history in field hockey.
It started playing the sport long time ago but has only three bronze medals to its credit, 1920 Summer Olympics, 2005 Champions Challenge and 2007 European Championship. It is currently sitting at the 12th position in the world rankings.
South Africa
The team holding the 13th place in the rankings qualified for the 2012 London Olympic after winning the 2011 African Olympic Qualifier.
However, it opted to contest the Olympic Qualifiers, as it did not consider the African Tournament adequate to go for the Olympics. It has five titles to its credit in the Hockey African Cup for Nations.
Malaysia
The Malaysian hockey team is currently holding the 14th position in the rankings and has contested all the major tournaments of the sport. It did not win any significant title other than 13 gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
It also has four silver medals to its credit, two of which were secured in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup while one each in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.
Japan
Although the Japanese team does not have any significant honours in its pocket, it earned a silver medal in the 1932 Olympics.
Japan made its debut in the World Cup, in 1971, but failed to impress anyone. It also has a couple of bronze medals in the Asian Games and is currently sitting at the 15th place in the world rankings.
Poland
This country is holding the 19th position according to the world rankings. However, it did not win any title in the sport. It is worth mentioning here that Poland will make its debut in the Champions Challenge I.
Overall, the squads are properly balanced and have a good set of players that will make the event successful.
All the teams are fully prepared and are looking forward to winning the title. Nonetheless, the fate of the 2011 Champions Challenge I winner will be decided on December 4th.
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