Dubai to host Asia Cup hockey

LAHORE - Dubai will host the 2009 Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, it was learnt on Tuesday.

The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) executive council, which met in Hyderabad (India) last week took the decision to grant the event to Dubai. The dates of the tournament are yet to be finalised.

"The city of Dubai has been given the right to host the 2009 senior Asia Cup. Our Federation took the decision to spread the game in the region," P. Alagendra, the AHF Secretary General, was quoted by Gulfnews.

This will be the first time that Asia Cup will be staged in the Middle East region.

Dubai Sports City's state of the art hockey stadium, which will be ready by the beginning of 2009 will be the venue for the event.