Chennai, 31st July 2023: The 'Pass the Ball' Trophy Tour in Tamil Nadu, a vital part of the build-up campaign for Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, is reaching its triumphant conclusion today. The overwhelming support from hockey enthusiasts in Tamil Nadu has turned it into a resounding success.

To add to the excitement for hockey fans in the state, Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Hon'ble Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, has announced the establishment of dedicated fan parks in every district. These fan parks are set to provide an excellent platform for the people of Tamil Nadu to showcase their unwavering passion and love for hockey, promising to amplify the already enthusiastic response.

Scheduled from 3rd August to 12th August at the iconic Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Egmore, Chennai, the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 will be an unforgettable extravaganza, as teams from across the continent converge to compete for glory, pride, and the coveted championship title.

The introduction of lively fan parks is an intriguing addition, allowing fans to enjoy live screenings of the tournament's matches on big screens. This unifying platform will bring fans together, cheering for their beloved teams in unison.

Thiru Atulya Misra, the Additional Chief Secretary to the Tamil Nadu Government, praised the initiative, stating, "I applaud Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Hon'ble Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, for his visionary decision to establish Live Fan Zones across all districts of Tamil Nadu during the Asian Champions Trophy. The government, under his exceptional leadership, aims to create a thrilling atmosphere for hockey fans and promote the sport throughout the state."

Explaining the concept of Fan Parks, he further added, "In collaboration with the SDAT (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu) and Hockey India, LED screens with captivating branding will be set up in each district's Fan Zone, where the matches will be telecasted live for the enthusiastic audience. Additionally, the District Collectors have been entrusted with identifying suitable locations, such as parks, bus stands, malls, and other prominent areas that attract a large public gathering, in their respective district headquarters or other significant towns for the creation of these Live Fan Zones."

The tournament schedule includes three matches daily at 4:00 PM, 6:15 PM, and 8:30 PM during the group stage, with the last match of the day being India's thrilling encounter. With such a well-thought-out initiative, the establishment of Live Fan Zones is expected to not only bring joy to hockey enthusiasts but also leave an indelible mark on Tamil Nadu's sports landscape, nurturing a generation of dedicated athletes and passionate sports enthusiasts.

Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Kumar Tirkey expressed his immense pleasure, saying, "We are immensely pleased with the visionary decision of Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Hon'ble Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Tamil Nadu, to establish fan parks in every district of the state for the Asian Champions Trophy. This remarkable initiative will undoubtedly fuel the passion for hockey across the region, bringing communities together and fostering a new era of sporting excellence."

Echoing the same sentiments, Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh stated, "We extend our sincere appreciation to the Tamil Nadu State Government for their commendable step in establishing fan parks in every district of the state for the tournament. This thoughtful decision will not only ignite a new wave of enthusiasm for hockey but also promote the sport at the grassroots level and foster a vibrant sporting culture in Tamil Nadu."

Shri Sekar J Manoharan, President of the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, also shared his views on the initiative, saying, "We extend our sincere appreciation to Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Hon'ble Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Tamil Nadu, for his visionary step in establishing fan parks in every district of the state for the Asian Champions Trophy. We believe this extraordinary step will kindle the passion for hockey amongst our people, paving the way for a promising future for the sport in Tamil Nadu."

Meanwhile, Prasanna, an aspiring hockey player from Ramanathapuram District, expressed delight in having a fan park in his district and thanked government officials for installing the same. Similarly, Kumar, the secretary of the Hockey Unit of Dharmapuri, termed the initiative as 'wonderful,' believing that fan parks will allow people to enjoy a stadium-like atmosphere.

IAS Officer Raja Gopal Sunkara, the District Collector in Erode, commented that fan parks will help in creating an electrifying atmosphere in Tamil Nadu, not only for the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 but also for hockey as a sport, thus inspiring more and more youngsters to take up the game.

With the stage set, teams primed, and stakes higher than ever, the true champions of Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 will undoubtedly be the fans who passionately support their teams with unwavering loyalty.

Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 will be broadcasted live on Star Sports and Fancode, with a live stream available on watch.hockey for viewers outside of India