Hockey fans that are used to witnessing the sport in its action-packed new format of four quarters each will have to adjust watching it in the slower old format of two halves each during upcoming the FIH Junior World Cup. The event, scheduled to begin in Lucknow from December 8, will be played in hockey's traditional two-session format of 35 minutes each instead of the current international format of four quarters of 15 minutes each. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is using the new format as trial only in senior international games and major events organised by FIH. The new rules have since been used in all major FIH events such as the Champions Trophy, Hockey World League. Asked if having the Junior World Cup in the old format will have an impact on its popularity and revenue scope from advertisements, Batra said: "Not really.

Source: dna December 04, 2016 02:48 UTC