The Hague: Hockey's transformation from a 70-minute game divided into two halves, to four quarters with a total playing time of 60 minutes will start with the the Asian Games in September.
Leandro Negre, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH), said today that the FIH was excited at the new rules coming into force this year, which he stressed would make the sport more exciting.
Negre said the four-quarter format will come into effect with the Incheon Games, the first of the continental championships offering 2016 Olympic qualification.
Our rule changes are aimed at making hockey a more exciting sport for the audiences, and the feedback we have received about the four-quarter format from the Hockey India League and the European League has been very positive, said Negre.
The FIH is looking at the four-quarter format as the future for the sport and it will be on show during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Negre said ongoing World Cup for men and women being staged in The Hague was the best so far, but it might be tough for future hosts to repeat the exercise with the field for both men and women expanding to 16 nations from 2018.
We are open to ideas and bids, but it might be difficult in future cities hosts to stage a joint World Cup with a total of 32 teams, Negre told reporters while reflecting on the success of the 2014 World Cup.
From the marketing aspect, I have been told that two World Cups in different cities are a better prospect, he said.
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