31 Oct, 2025 The Namibia women’s junior hockey team is gearing up for a historic moment — their debut at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025. With excitement and determination running high, captain Azaylee Philander and coach Cedric Makati shared their thoughts ahead of the tournament. Setting realistic but bold targets For Namibia, the World Cup represents both a dream and a challenge. “We would very much like to come top three in our pool,” said captain Azaylee Philander. “We have a very strong pool with Germany, India and Ireland, so it would be great if we can come third and then take it from there.” Coach Cedric Makati echoed her optimism with a focus on immediate goals: “My first expectation is to actually win a game in the pool section. We know we have a tough pool, but it’s doable.” Overcoming logistical hurdles Both captain and coach acknowledged that team cohesion has been a key challenge in the lead-up to the event. “Not all of the teammates have been here at training,” Philander explained. “That’s one of our main challenges. But once we get to Chile and start our practice games, we’ll overcome it.” Makati echoed the same sentiment but remains confident in the team: “We have players in South Africa and Europe. The biggest challenge is making them play in cohesion as one team. But we will get there.” Respecting the competition Namibia finds itself in a tough group alongside India, Germany, and Ireland, but both leaders are approaching it with respect and confidence. “To India, Germany, and Ireland — we are so honoured to be playing against you,” said Philander. “Namibia is coming with our best.” Makati reinforced that sentiment: “We know you are training hard. We are doing the same. We are not going to stand back. Let’s give each other hard games and may the best team win.” Excitement for Chile This will be Namibia’s first-ever appearance in Chile, a milestone moment for the team. “Playing for your country comes with perks. Coming to Chile will be amazing. Santiago is the perfect place for a Junior World Cup,” said Philander. “For most of the girls, it’s their first big international tournament,” added Makati. “The first game against India will be tough, but we’ll take it stride by stride.” Message to the fans “To everyone watching — parents, sponsors, family — thank you for all your support. We wish to make you proud,” said Philander. “Namibia, thank you for your support,” Makati concluded. “The girls will step up their game. For the fans in Chile, come support us, you’ll see what Africa can produce.” The FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 begins in Santiago, Chile, where Namibia will look to make their presence felt on the global stage, one stride at a time. Source: FIH.hockey

29 Oct, 2025 The wait is nearly over. In just one month, the world’s most promising Rising Stars of men’s hockey will gather in the heart of south India for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, taking place from 28 November to 10 December 2025 in Chennai and Madurai. This edition will make history as the first-ever FIH Junior Hockey World Cup to feature 24 teams, expanding the global reach of the sport and giving more nations than ever before, the chance to compete on hockey’s biggest youth stage. From traditional powerhouses like Argentina, India and Germany, to exciting debutants like Switzerland, Namibia and China, the expanded format promises more matches, more stories, and more opportunities for emerging talent to shine. Hosted in the cities of Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India the tournament is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike. With state-of-the-art venues, vibrant fan culture, and the electric atmosphere of Indian hockey, this event will showcase the future of the game in its purest, most energetic form. Teams Pool A: Canada, Germany, Ireland, South Africa Pool B: Chile, India, Oman, Switzerland Pool C: Argentina, China, Japan, New Zealand Pool D: Belgium, Egypt, Spain, Namibia Pool E: Austria, England, Malaysia, Netherlands Pool F: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Korea The pool stage matches will be played from 28 November to 2 December, followed by knockout matches from 4 to 10 December. The FIH, together with Hockey India and the Government of Tamil Nadu, continues preparations to ensure every aspect, from athlete facilities to fan engagement, is world-class. The tournament will also mark a new step in FIH’s digital and broadcast evolution, bringing the action closer to fans worldwide through the revamped Watch.Hockey platform. As the countdown begins, one thing is certain: the next generation of Rising Stars will take the field and the global hockey family will get their first glimpse of the future hockey icons in Tamil Nadu! Germany are the defending champions from the 2023 edition, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For all information about the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025, click here. Source: FIH.hockey

21 Oct, 2025 The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially opened the bidding process for hosting the upcoming editions of the FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s Junior World Cups in 2027 and 2029. A key milestone in the development pathway of hockey’s future stars, the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups provide young athletes with the opportunity to make their mark on the international stage. These prestigious events bring together the best under-21 talent from around the world, showcasing the next generation of global hockey excellence. Event Windows Two time slots are reserved in the international calendar for these events: 1–31 July 2027 / 2029 1–21 December 2027 / 2029 How to Apply National Associations interested in hosting are invited to submit their bids by completing the official bidding application form: FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2027/2029 Bid Form FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2027/2029 Bid Form The bid manual, hosting obligations, and event manual are available for download on the FIH website to assist interested hosts in preparing their submissions. To access them please click here. Key Deadlines The Letter of Interest and Bid Questionnaire for the 2027 event must be submitted by 1 December 2025. Once submitted, FIH will share the hosting agreement with the applicant National Associations. For the 2029 editions, the Letter of Interest should be returned by mid-2026. Hosting the FIH Hockey Junior World Cups offers a unique opportunity for National Associations to contribute to the growth of the sport and inspire the next generation of hockey players worldwide. Beyond the competition itself, the event serves as a powerful platform to engage local communities, boost national visibility, and strengthen hockey’s development legacy across all levels — from grassroots to elite. By bringing the world’s brightest young talents together, host nations not only celebrate the spirit of hockey but also help shape its global future. Source: FIH.hockey