DESCRIPTION:
* This is the first time that Odisha would be hosting an international hockey tournament.
* The eight-nation elite tournament would feature host India, defending champions Australia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Belgium, Argentina, England and Germany.
* From this year on the tournament will begin to be held biannually due to the introduction of the Hockey World League, returning to its original format changed after the inaugural tournament in 1978.
* Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is the principal partner of the tournament with a contribution of Rs 4 crore.
* Tata Steel and NALCO are the associate partners providing Rs 1.5 crore each.
TEAMS IN FRAY:
Pool A: Australia, Belgium, England, Pakistan
Pool B: Netherlands, Germany, Argentina, India
MATCH SCHEDULE:
Dec 6: Australia vs England (12:00), Belgium vs Pakistan (14:00), Netherlands vs Argentina (17:30), Germany vs India (19:30).
Dec 7: Belgium vs Australia (12:00), England vs Pakistan (14:00), Germany vs Netherlands (17:30), Argentina vs India (19:30).
Dec 9: Argentina vs Germany (12:00), England vs Belgium (14:00), Australia vs Pakistan (17:30), Netherlands vs India (19:30).
Dec 11: First Quarterfinal: 11:30, Second Quarterfinal: 13:45, Third Quarterfinal: 17:15, Fourth Quarterfinal: 19:30.
Dec 13: Match for 5th to 8th positions: 11.30, Match for 5th to 8th positions: 13.45, First Semifinal: 17.15, Second Semifinal: 19.30.
Sept 14: Match for 7th & 8th positions: 11.30, Match for 5th & 6th positions: 13.45, Match for 3rd & 4th positions: 17.15, FINAL: 19.30.
TEAM INDIA:
Goalkeepers: PR Sreejesh, Vice-captain (115 Caps), Harjot Singh (6 Caps)
Defenders: Rupinder Pal Singh (101 Caps), VR Raghunath (176 Caps), Birendra Lakra (87 Caps), Kothajit Singh (87 Caps), Gurbaj Singh (180 Caps), Gurjinder Singh (19 Caps).
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh (112 Caps), Sardar Singh, Captain (200 Caps), Dharamvir Singh (90 caps), Danish Mujtaba (127 Caps), SK Uthappa (58 Caps).
Forwards: Ramandeep Singh (26 Caps), SV Sunil (153 Caps), Akashdeep Singh (56 Caps), Nikkin Thimmaiah (27 Caps), Lalit Upadhyay (9 Caps).