By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: For the first time, the 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy is being hosted in Bihar, specifically in Rajgir. In celebration, a Trophy Pride March was held in Patna today, attended by several senior officials, including Patna District Magistrate, Dr Chandrashekhar. The march commenced near Gate No. 1 of Gandhi Maidan and made its way to the Bihar Museum, with the trophy also displayed at the Patna Zoo.
Dr Chandrashekhar expressed immense pride in hosting an international hockey championship in Bihar for the first time. The tournament will take place at the newly constructed stadium in Rajgir from 11th to 20th November 2024, featuring teams from six countries: China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and India. The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, which began in 2010, has seen India crowned champion twice.
This year, hopes are high for exciting matches, and the state’s international-standard sports infrastructure in Rajgir has made this event possible. Dr Chandrashekhar added that special efforts are being made to include schoolgirls in the activities to inspire future athletes.
The Chief Minister flagged off the Trophy Gaurav Yatra on 14th October, and today it was welcomed at Gandhi Maidan, Patna. Over the past few days, the trophy has been displayed at various public locations, including the Bihar Museum, Patna Zoo, Gurudwara, and JP Ganga Path. The main aim of the Gaurav Yatra is to motivate school students, and the district administration is actively promoting the event.
The Trophy Gaurav Yatra aims to encourage women players and generate excitement ahead of the Asian Women’s Hockey Championship. The trophy is being showcased at multiple venues in Patna to build enthusiasm among the public and players alike. The district administration is also urging the public to attend the tournament in large numbers.
The international stadium in Rajgir, where the event will take place, was recently completed and inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with members of the Indian women’s hockey team also in attendance. There is widespread excitement across Bihar for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, with many international players expected to participate.
