Online Reporter
AS the AHF Cup concluded in Asia and the Junior Cup in Africa, Singapore, Oman, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Egypt secured their spots at the next major international events, marking a week of excitement and growth for global hockey.
The international hockey community witnessed a week of intense emotions in both continents, two regions that made a significant mark on the qualifying path towards the major challenges of 2025. While Asia welcomed their competition in Jakarta, Africa’s final tickets were awarded for the 2025 FIH Junior Hockey World Cups in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, consolidating a more diverse and promising global outlook.
In Indonesia, the AHF Cup 2025 brought together emerging talent from across the Asian continent. In the women’s tournament, Singapore lifted the title after a 1–1 draw with Chinese Taipei and a 3–2 shoot-out win thanks to their composure under pressure.
Both teams qualified for the Asia Cup 2025. Hong Kong, China, meanwhile, claimed bronze in a thrilling play-off against hosts Indonesia. In the men’s competition, the intensity remained high. Oman were crowned champions after a dramatic 4–3 win over Chinese Taipei in the final, with both teams booking their places at the next Asia Cup. Bangladesh completed the podium with a convincing 3–0 win over Kazakhstan.
Individual awards also stood out in Jakarta. Dayana Ong (Singapore) and Tsung-Yu Hsieh (Chinese Taipei) were named Best Player of the Tournament, while the Rising Star Award went to Nipuni Fernando (Sri Lanka) in the women’s category and Agymtay Duisengazy (Kazakhstan) in the men’s. Selly Florentina (Indonesia) and Davlat Tolibbaev (Uzbekistan) were named best goalkeepers, while Pui Sze Lau (Hong Kong, China) and Hsieh again topped the scoring charts.
Speaking from Indonesia, FIH President Tayyab Ikram celebrated the success of the event, “The 2025 AHF Cup was a wonderful celebration of hockey. Organised for the emerging nations of Asia, it was an excellent platform to unlock the potential of our teams and provide them with invaluable experience.”
“It was thrilling to witness the fantastic atmosphere and vibrant spirit that prevailed throughout the tournament,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Africa had its own defining moment in Namibia, which hosted the Junior Africa Cup 2024 — a qualifier for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cups 2025.
South Africa were dominant, winning gold in both the men’s and women’s categories and demonstrating a solid development structure.
Namibia, runners-up in both competitions, also sealed their place at the World Cups. Women’s bronze went to Zimbabwe and men’s bronze to Egypt. The finals highlighted South Africa’s supremacy and overwhelming control over the continent’s hockey scene. In the women’s final, the South Africans left no room for doubt as they thrashed Namibia 5–0 to complete a perfect tournament with 15 points and a staggering +38 goal difference from the group stage. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, defeated Uganda 6–1 to secure their historic World Cup qualification. In the men’s competition, South Africa repeated the script with a solid 5–0 win over Namibia, while Egypt withstood the pressure to beat Kenya on penalties after an electrifying 4–4 draw. African excitement is now on the world stage.
The FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 will be held in Chennai and Madurai, India, and the hosts are welcoming a tournament that promises to be full of excitement and top-level action. Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia, and Egypt have all confirmed their participation.
Meanwhile, the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 will be hosted by the South American nation of Chile in Santiago, featuring teams from Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, Canada, Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, India, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
With all qualified teams confirmed, Ikram highlighted the historic nature of this edition, “For the first time, both the Men’s and Women’s World Cups will feature 24 participating teams, providing greater accessibility and opportunities for all regions of the world,” and congratulated South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Egypt. — insidethegames.com/Sports Reporter.
