Members of the Indian women’s hockey team at a training session. (PHOTO: Hockey India)
A couple of days before the start Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir – the first international hockey tournament to be held in Bihar – organisers had to step in and make a significant change: reschedule the start times of matches. On Saturday, it was announced that all matches have been pushed to earlier pushback times to prevent potential disruptions caused by a significant insect infestation in the area.
It is understood that the issue was quite significant in the lead-up to the tournament as teams started to arrive and train at the venue in the evening, particularly when floodlights were on. The stadium is surrounded by open fields and containing insects was deemed not feasible, so the organising committee informed the Asian Hockey Federation of the decision.
“The decision was taken in consultation with the organising committee who took feedback from the respective teams and after observing consecutive training sessions under the floodlights that saw a huge amount of insect infestation,” Hockey India said in a statement. Under the revised schedule, the first match of each day will begin at 12:15 PM IST, followed by the second match at 2:30 PM IST, and the final match at 4:45 PM IST. Previously, matches were scheduled for the evening, with the first match set to begin at 03:00 PM IST, the second at 05:15 PM IST, and the last match at 7:30 PM IST.
“The stadium is surrounded by paddy fields, which harbor large numbers of insects during this season. The Bihar State Government proactively implemented comprehensive environmental management measures at the venue, including advanced drone operations, intensive fumigation protocols, and international-standard treatments to ensure optimal playing conditions. Using the protocols followed in similar situations around the globe, seven types of chemicals such as Cyphenothrin, Deltamethrin, and Cyfluthrin, among other cold sprays have been used in and around the stadium complex,” the statement added.
Dilip Tirkey, President of Hockey India, said, “Our priority is the safety of players, fans and everyone involved with this prestigious tournament. Hockey is being played at a new venue, and we want to ensure that we maintain high standards, while ensuring a smooth and exciting experience not only for teams but also for the people of Bihar.”
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