Qatar To Host 2012 Asian Champions Trophy - Hockey

Doha, March 29 (QNA) - Qatar will host Asia s biggest hockey tournaments, the 2012 Asian Champions Trophy featuring India, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Korea, China and Japan. The matches will be held later this year at the Al Rayyan Stadium which hosted the 2006 Asian Games hockey tournament and Holland v Pakistan ahead of the 2010 Hockey World Cup. General Secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said "Qatar is honored to host such a prestigious hockey event which will add to our major tournament hosting experience. By bringing the Asian Champions Trophy to Qatar, we can help to grow the profile of hockey not just in Qatar, but across the Gulf and the wider Middle East region." Mohamed Nazer Abdul, Secretary General of the Qatar Hockey Federation said "This is a huge boost for Qatar and for the sport of hockey here. Conducting a major event like this will certainly increase the popularity of the sport. With plenty of Asian expatriates in Qatar, you can expect a full house and if there is an India-Pakistan clash, the euphoria can cross all levels." Noora al-Mannai, CEO of Doha 2020 added "With around 40 major sporting events being hosted each year, significant investment in our sporting infrastructure and confirmation that Qatar will send female athletes to this summer s Olympic Games for the first time, it really is an exciting time for sport in Qatar." The inaugural Asian Champions Trophy was held in China last year where India beat Pakistan in the final.(QNA)