Madurai, Nov 22 (LatestNewsX) – In preparation for the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025, the Tamil Nadu government opened the new Madurai International Hockey Stadium, a state‑of‑the‑art venue built within the Race Course Complex. The facility, which complies with strict Olympic criteria and incorporates modern infrastructure, represents a significant step forward for the sport’s growth in southern India.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin formally launched the stadium on Saturday, joining Minister for Commercial Taxes, Registration & Stamp Law P. Moorthy, Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, and several Members of the Legislative Assembly from different constituencies.
At the ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin remarked, “The newly constructed Madurai International Hockey Stadium is a testament to Tamil Nadu’s ambition to emerge as a global sporting destination. This facility symbolises Madurai’s arrival on the world sporting stage. Our vision extends beyond this tournament — we aim to establish Madurai as the leading hub of hockey excellence in southern India and a catalyst for holistic development.”
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed strong pride in the venue, saying, “It is a proud moment for Indian hockey to see another world‑class stadium added to our nation’s infrastructure. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government, which has left no stone unturned in creating this facility at a record pace and has worked tirelessly to ensure the best infrastructure for the Junior World Cup. Facilities like this will inspire young athletes in Madurai and across Tamil Nadu to take up the sport. The Madurai International Hockey Stadium will play a crucial role in expanding the reach of hockey and nurturing future champions,” he added.
Secretary General of Hockey India, Bhola Nath Singh, highlighted the state government’s support, stating, “The support extended by the Tamil Nadu Government has been exceptional. The infrastructure of this scale enables us to pitch for more international events in India. It also strengthens the grassroots by offering a good ecosystem where young players can train, compete, and excel. Hosting Junior World Cup matches here will leave a lasting impact on the region’s sporting culture.”
The 2025 Junior World Cup will see Madurai host three of the tournament’s 24 participating nations, with games slated from November 28 to December 10. A total of 72 matches will take place across Chennai and Madurai.
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