New Delhi: In a few hours, young hockey talent from all over the world will come together on the biggest stage. Sixteen teams from five continents will strut their stuff when the Hero Hockey Junior World Cup Men 2013, begins at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Friday .
The Under-21 Cup is a journey for many to their dream of representing the country at the senior level.
Five-times junior World Cup winners Germany, resurgent Belgium, the very agile Holland, neverto-be discounted Australia, Spain, home favourites India, besides the inaugural champions in 1979, Pakistan, are among the teams that promise 10 days of exciting action.
For India, who face the Netherlands in their Pool C opener, it is a mix of both. For a country struggling at the senior level despite promising shows on the junior circuit, coach Gregg Clark hopes the quadrennial event could be the “stepping stone”, besides also help put a long-term plan in place.
“India has a rich history of hockey and distinct style of play.
They won many Olympic medals in the past. That’s the history you want to replicate in Indian hockey. You got to start from somewhere. May be, this World Cup is that start,” said Clark.
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