Singapore to stage Women's Asian Champions Trophy

Singapore hosted three of the world's best women's hockey teams - Holland, Australia and Germany - in the PG International Tri-series in January.

In April, the Republic organised the biggest-ever World League Round 1 tournament.

From Oct 29-Nov 6, it will stage the Women's Asian Champions Trophy, which will feature the continent's top five teams - Korea, China, Japan, India and Malaysia, in that order.

It will be played on a round-robin format before progressing to bronze and gold-medal play-offs.

Impressed by the Singapore Hockey Federation's (SHF) hosting abilities, Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) president Tengku Abdullah Ahmad Shah of Malaysia said Singapore has set the bar high.

"The AHF is delighted to partner with the SHF to host the 4th Women's Asian Champions Trophy at the fantastic Sengkang Stadium facility in Singapore," he said in a statement.

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"The recent successes of the current SHF leadership have raised the expectations and make me look forward to an undoubtedly innovative and exciting event."   

Singapore's women team are ranked 11th in Asia, and will not participate in the tournament, but SHF president Mathavan Devadas believes the sport will still benefit from the event. "We have not qualified, so we won't participate in the tournament proper," he said.

"But we are looking to arrange some sparring games with these teams, and some of players will get to experience training with them.

"Hosting this tournament gives the fraternity the opportunity to see the top five Asian teams play.

"It will allow us to raise awareness of hockey in Singapore."

Singapore is earning a reputation as a sports hub, hosting major international events like the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals and the World Rugby Sevens Series, and Mathavan (left) said that hockey is glad to be able to contribute in a small way to that image.

"This is a regional event - a top-level one - and if we can attract crowds and increase awareness of the sport, I think it will be a success," he said, adding that the SHF will be organising fringe activities around the event.