By the end of this week, the men’s Asia Cup hockey champion will be crowned, with the winner also securing a ticket to next year’s World Cup. But while Bihar hosts its second international tournament in Rajgir in just 10 months, China’s new head coach Michel van den Heuvel believes the overemphasis on India is stunting Asian hockey’s growth and competitiveness.
Van den Heuvel, who previously guided Pakistan to the 2010 Asian Games gold, was appointed China’s head coach in July this year. The Dutchman, who also coaches Bloemendaal in the Netherlands, has brought China into the Super 4 stage – their primary objective as world No. 22. His side pushed India before losing 3-4, then battled to a 2-2 draw with Japan to secure qualification.
“Seven Games in Ten Days – It’s Madness”
Despite the progress, Van den Heuvel has been left frustrated by the punishing Asia Cup schedule, where finalists will play seven matches in just 10 days.
Which tournament in the world does that!” “It’s bullshit! In 15 years of modern hockey, it has never been done before.
He stressed that most Asian teams – India being the exception – are already struggling physically to match international standards, and such taxing formats only reduce the quality of hockey on display.
Asian hockey is struggling with the physical side, and now we are forced into a schedule with seven games in ten days. The quality gets lower and lower. You even risk playing the same opponent three times in a week.
The European Contrast
The Dutchman contrasted Asia with the EuroHockey Championships. In the most recent edition, teams played five matches in eight days with three rest days built in – one after the second round, and one each before the semis and the final.
They rest in between, so the quality of hockey remains high. In Asia, we decide to play more and more, but the hockey only gets worse and worse. That’s not how you improve.
Beyond India – Time to Spread the Game
Van den Heuvel also urged Asian hockey authorities to move away from their near-exclusive reliance on India as a host nation.
I think as long as Asia Hockey is just focused on going to India, it’s not helpful. If you want to help other nations, you need to take tournaments there and make the sport popular. India is beautiful, but it would be great to go to Korea, Japan, or China – which also have fantastic venues.
China, for instance, hosted the 2024 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir. But Van den Heuvel insists attention and resources remain lopsided.
It’s not helping Asian hockey because India gets all the attention, and that leaves other nations behind.
Building a Culture in China
Reflecting on his new role, Van den Heuvel said he has been given considerable authority over team decisions in China. “The conversations I had in China were really positive. I’m the only one who makes the selection. I’ve made them aware that if we agree on certain things, we will stick to them. Now we will see how the process unfolds,” he concluded.
