Schedule for Junior Hockey WC announced

India would open its campaign against Canada on Day One followed by England and South Africa on December 10 and December 12 respectively. India, which had also hosted the previous edition in 2013 (New Delhi), had finished a disappointing 10th in the 16-team event, losing to Pakistan in the 9-10 place play-off on penalties.

India would open its campaign against Canada on Day One followed by England and South Africa on December 10 and December 12.

Even as the participation of the Pakistan team remains unclear, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has announced the final schedule for the Junior men's World Cup to be held from December 8-18 in Lucknow with host India placed in Pool D along with England, South Africa and Canada.

India would open its campaign against Canada on Day One followed by England and South Africa on December 10 and December 12 respectively. India, which had also hosted the previous edition in 2013 (New Delhi), had finished a disappointing 10th in the 16-team event, losing to Pakistan in the 9-10 place play-off on penalties.

The tournament is scheduled to be held at two venues — the Major Dhyan Chand stadium at the Guru Gobind Singh sports college and the Mohammed Shahid Stadium currently being re-developed in the heart of the city.

The classification matches would begin on December 14 with the medal rounds to be played on December 18. The Indian junior team, led by midfielder Harjeet Singh, is currently in Valencia for a four-nation international tournament after finishing fourth in the Australian Hockey League. The team also won the Eurasia Cup and played a test series against England earlier this year as part of its preparations for the World Cup.