Indian women's and men's hockey teams to begin FIH Pro League campaign in Bhubaneswar

The Indian women’s hockey team will take on China while the men will face Spain in their respective opening matches of the FIH Pro League 2023/2024 season in Bhubaneswar. Following the announcement of the fifth Pro League season calendar by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday, the Indian players expressed excitement as they believe the exposure during this outing will help in preparations for next year’s Paris Olympics. Both the teams will begin their campaign in home games scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. The Indian women’s team, who were promoted after being crowned champions of the FIH Nations League, will take the field first against China on 6 February at the Kalinga Stadium. This will be followed by matches against Netherlands, Australia, and USA before it moves to Rourkela, where it will play against China, Netherlands, Australia, and USA again. After the home matches, the Indian women will play away games in Antwerp, Belgium and Lee Valley, Great Britain where they will face Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain respectively. Meanwhile, the Indian men’s team will face Spain in its first match on 10 February at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. In the previous season, India ended up fourth overall and will be vying to finish on the podium in the upcoming edition of the tournament. India will take on Spain, Netherlands, Australia, and Ireland in home games and play against Argentina and Belgium in away games at Antwerp, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain at Lee Valley.