This week, the Under-18 Asia Cup is making its long-awaited return after nearly a decade, with boys’ and girls’ tournaments set to unfold in Dazhou, China from July 3 to 13, 2025.
But noticeably absent from the competition will be India one of Asia’s most formidable hockey nations. While the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) is reviving this event to energize youth development in the region, India, along with South Korea, has opted not to send teams for either gender.
At first glance, this decision may raise eyebrows. India won the last edition of the boys’ tournament in 2016, defeating Bangladesh 5-4 in a thrilling final. And with the girls’ edition being played for the first time, there was an opportunity to make a historic mark. However, look beyond the nostalgia, and the picture becomes clearer: not fielding teams at a depleted and poorly timed U18 Asia Cup might just be a smart, calculated move by Hockey India.
A Diminished Tournament Field
Let’s begin with the competitive context. The boys’ tournament features 11 teams including hosts China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Japan all respectable, but most participating nations do not field structured U18 programs or regularly feature in global junior tournaments.
What’s more telling is the absence of both India and South Korea the only two Asian nations to have won Olympic medals in the last 33 years. Their non-participation significantly impacts the tournament’s prestige and competitive value. Without India, the defending champions, and without Korea, who consistently invest in junior development, the event lacks its heavyweight draw.
For Hockey India, this wasn’t just about skipping a tournament. It was about asking the right question: Is this competition offering the kind of international experience that justifies pulling out a squad from ongoing national development programs and exposing young athletes to a diluted field? The answer, clearly, was no.
Clash with Domestic Priorities
Another practical reason behind India’s withdrawal is scheduling. The Girls’ Sub-Junior National Championship begins on July 3 in Ranchi the exact same day as the start of the U18 Asia Cup. The Boys’ Sub-Junior Nationals follow later in July in Chennai.
For Hockey India, which has emphasized the importance of strengthening its domestic structure, these national championships form the backbone of grassroots scouting and athlete development. Prioritizing them over a hastily revived international tournament, especially with limited information about its competitive depth or organizational robustness, makes perfect sense.
Had India chosen to field teams at the U18 Asia Cup, it would have weakened the talent pool available for these crucial national events. At a time when consistency and structure in talent identification are more important than showpiece appearances, Hockey India has opted to focus inward and rightly so.
The Ghost of a Stalled Youth Program
In 2023, with great fanfare, Hockey India launched a revitalized under-17 program. Former captains Rani Rampal and Sardar Singh were appointed as chief coaches for the girls’ and boys’ teams respectively. National camps were held in Rourkela, and a tour to the Netherlands was arranged for early exposure.
But almost two years later, that program has gone quiet. Sources suggest the initiative is no longer active. There is no visible calendar, no follow-up tours, and no updates on athlete progression. Without an ongoing U18 program in place, pulling together a makeshift team at short notice would likely have done more harm than good.
Sending underprepared teams into an international competition even a sub-par one can expose young players to mismatches, injuries, and morale-damaging results. It also undermines the credibility of India’s player development process. In elite sport, structure always beats spontaneity and India knows that now more than ever.
India’s hockey structure is evolving, and the focus is now firmly on sustainable systems. The junior (U21) programs, both men’s and women’s, are active and visible. Paris Olympic legend PR Sreejesh is overseeing the junior men’s program, while Olympian Tushar Khandker is leading the junior women. These programs feed directly into India’s long-term plan for international success.
More importantly, India is hosting and participating in numerous FIH-backed ranking events, the FIH Hockey5s, and Junior World Cups, which offer far more valuable exposure. In this context, participating in an unranked U18 Asia Cup with low international visibility offers limited return on investment, especially when international fixtures and budgets must be prioritized strategically.
Let’s not forget: every tournament India enters, it is expected to win. That expectation while flattering puts immense pressure on junior teams that are still learning the ropes. A poor showing at an underwhelming event can end up denting the confidence of emerging talent rather than boosting it.
Nostalgia Can’t Drive Policy
Yes, the 2016 edition was memorable. It gave us glimpses of future stars like Hardik Singh and Nilam Sanjeep Xess. But replicating the success of 2016 isn’t about reappearing at the same tournament it’s about ensuring the right players are identified, trained, and tested in the right environments.
With the 2026 Junior World Cups and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, the focus must remain on sustained development, not scattered appearances. India’s decision to skip the U18 Asia Cup reflects a shift from event-centric thinking to ecosystem building and that’s a sign of maturity.
Sure, for fans, seeing India not participate in an event it once won can be disheartening. For Asian hockey, India’s absence is undoubtedly a blow. But sport especially one as deeply invested in by this nation requires long-term thinking.
By choosing to invest in domestic championships, revive its coaching pipelines, and focus on U21 and senior priorities, India has shown that not all exposure is worth chasing especially if the foundation isn’t in place.
The Under-18 Asia Cup may return in better shape in the future. And when it does, India will surely be ready with teams that are prepared, developed, and deserving of the tricolour on their chest.
Until then, this silence is not neglect. It’s strategy.
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