Reviving Field Hockey in HCM City: First Hockey Academy Opens and National Teams Gear Up for International Tournaments

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, field hockey in HCM City is experiencing a resurgence with the establishment of the first-ever hockey academy in the city. The HCM City Hockey Association, the HCM City Sports Department, and the Việt Nam Olympics Committee have joined forces to promote and develop the sport, focusing on expanding the player base in the city.

Field hockey made its debut in Việt Nam in 2007, with clubs primarily flourishing in HCM City and Đà Nẵng. The formation of the HCM City Hockey Federation in 2020 marked a significant milestone in bringing hockey closer to the local community. The newly inaugurated First Hockey Academy, which opened its doors on April 13, aims to provide a professional and reliable training environment for young players to excel in the sport.

The academy, led by CEO James Chew, emphasizes intensive training, quality coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and ample opportunities for competition and career development. In a significant move towards advancing the sport, the HCM City Hockey Federation signed a cooperation agreement with the Kuala Lumpur Hockey Federation of Malaysia to foster development and elevate the skill level of athletes in both countries and across Southeast Asia.

In another exciting development, the Vietnamese women’s national hockey team is gearing up to participate in the Asia Cup Indoor Hockey tournament in Bangkok from May 13-16, marking their debut on the international hockey stage. The top three teams in the tournament will secure qualification for the World Cup in Croatia in February 2025.

With the support of sports fashion brand Kamito, the HCM City Hockey Federation received a generous boost by providing uniforms for the hockey national teams for three years. The future looks bright for field hockey in HCM City as efforts continue to grow and develop the sport in Việt Nam.