New Delhi, Sept. 9 -- The Indian Men's Hockey Team departed for Japan on Tuesday evening to defend their continental crown at the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The hockey competition will be played in Kakamigahara, located approximately 35 km from Nagoya. Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian side will be determined to put behind them their disappointing eighth-place finish at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, held last month in the Netherlands and Belgium, and shift focus towards the crucial continental assignment, according to a release.

With the Asian Games gold medal offering direct qualification to the LA 2028 Olympic Games, India will aim to successfully defend the title...