The FIH Hockey World Cup, which begins on January 13 in Odisha, will bring together the world’s finest hockey talents in an expo of pace, competence, and expertise. Pakistan’s Air Marshal Nur Khan was the first to propose the Hockey World Cup. He approached the FIH with his idea through Patrick Rowley, the first editor of World Hockey magazine. Their proposal was accepted on October 26, 1969, and was accepted by the FIH Council at a meeting in Brussels on April 12, 1970. The FIH concluded that the first World Cup would be kept in Pakistan in October 1971.
Every 2 years, the very first 3 championships were held. The 1978 Cup was the only one that took place three years after the previous one. It began halfway between the Summer Olympics hockey competition and has since proceeded. In other utterances, the tournament has taken place every four years since then. In this article we are going to look at the five international players to keep an eye on during the tournament.
- Eddie Ockenden
Eddie Ockenden of Australia is already considered an all-time fantastic, having won the world crown twice (in 2010 and 2014). The 35-year-old Australian co-captain also holds the record for most caps for his country. The year before, he became one of only seven men’s hockey players to have made more than 400 international performances. Ockenden made his senior breakthrough in the 2006 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and in 2008 he was named FIH Young Player of the Year. In addition to four Commonwealth Games gold medals, Ockenden has 2 Olympic bronze medals and one silver medal. As it seeks to recapture its world title, Australia will depend heavily on Ockenden’s adaptability and poise.
- Timothee Clement
Timothee Clement’s rise has helped France’s standing in international hockey. At the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar in 2021, the 22-year-old was named Best Player of the Tournament after leading France to a legendary bronze medal. A highlight of the season was his stunning hat-trick against India in the opening match, which assisted his team to a memorable 5-4 victory. His accomplishments at the junior and senior levels aided him in being named the men’s FIH Rising Star of the Year for 2021-22.
- Christopher Ruhr
Christopher Ruhr, a German forward, is yet another two-time FIH Rising Star of the Year prepared to take the World Cup by blast. Germany’s hopes of securing its first world title since 2006 will be heavily reliant on Ruhr’s exploits in the front row. The 29-year-old, who won bronze in Rio, has managed to score 64 goals in 142 performances for his country.
- Thierry Brinkman
Thierry Brinkman, who will captain the Netherlands in Odisha, is an inspiring figure on whom coach Jeroen Delmee will establish his grand plans to reconquer the World Cup. The 27-year-old, who can perform throughout the forward line and in the midfield, made his debut abroad in 2015. Brinkman, who was member of the Dutch team that lost to Belgium in the World Cup final in 2018, will be looking to help his country win its fourth title and first since 1998.
- Arthur Van Doren
Belgium is the defending champion World and Olympic champion, but none shine brighter than defender Arthur Van Doren. Van Doren’s rise paralleled that of his national team, which became the greatest dominant force in world hockey after his debut in 2013. The 28-year-old won the FIH Rising Player of the Year award in 2016, which he repeated in 2017, along with the Player of the Year award. In 2018, he won the Player of the Year award once more, establishing himself as among the best hockey players of this era.
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