ISLAMABAD: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have announced that 20 teams would participate in the Commonwealth Games hockey tournaments being held from July 29 to Aug 8 in Birmingham, England.

The women teams include Australia, Canada, England, Ghana, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales while the men’s teams comprise Pakistan, Australia, Canada, England, Ghana, India, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Wales, said a press release issued by the FIH.

FIH chief executive Thierry Weil said, “With such an impressive line-up, were looking forward, together with fans around the world, to hockey tournaments which will once again belong to the greatest events to enjoy at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.”

Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022, said, “We are currently finalising the match schedule for the men’s and women’s tournaments, and we are looking forward to unveiling this information very soon.”

Hockey has been part of the Commonwealth Games since 1998. Australian men have won all six editions. In the women’s tournament, Australia also led the all-time records with 4 gold medals, followed by India and New Zealand (one each), with the Black Sticks winning the last Commonwealth Games hockey tournament in 2018 in the Gold Coast, Australia.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2022