Lausanne, Switzerland: As part of its 100-year anniversary celebrations, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) will launch the first ever “International Hockey Day” on 13-14 April 2024. This year, dates have been chosen to coincide with the week of the “100 days to go” milestone (happening on 17 April) until the start of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

However, the International Hockey Day is not a “one-off” event. It is here to stay and will be celebrated every year in the future (at a date which remains open)!

For this first edition, FIH has invited all National Associations (NAs) to make a pledge to grow hockey in their respective nations by getting at least 100 new young players into the sport and increasing their fanbase on social media until the start of the upcoming Olympics.

Concretely, NAs are urged to identify a project or series of projects that may be implemented until the start of Paris 2024 to reach these objectives.

“The International Hockey Day shall offer an additional opportunity to the global hockey community for boosting the promotion of our sport. In particular, it should aim at bringing and exposing more people to hockey. Growing the number of athletes worldwide and growing our fanbase are two essential pillars of our mission. This Day, that will be a very special date in hockey’s international calendar every year, shall contribute to fulfilling this mission. I therefore appeal to each and every member of our community worldwide to play a part in this quest for growth”, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said.

The International Hockey Federation was created on 7 January 1924 in Paris, France. Throughout the year, various activities will be organised to celebrate this milestone, culminating at the FIH Congress in November.

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