Netherlands defeats English to host the 2014 World Cups

The Netherlands has prevailed over England in the bidding for rights to host the Men’s and Women’s FIH Hockey World Cups in 2014.

The decision was confirmed by the International Hockey Federation executive board and announced on Thursday evening at a special ceremony at the FIH Congress and Forum in Montreux, Switzerland.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to make”, said FIH president Leandro Negre shortly after revealing the winner. “The bids from The KNHB and England Hockey were both outstanding, two of the best that we have ever seen. It was a very close decision, but we offer our congratulations to The Netherlands, who we are sure will stage an unforgettable double World Cup event. England Hockey’s bid has reinforced their importance as a partner for future FIH events, and we are keen to maximise the use of London 2012’s legacy facility.”

The Men’s and Women’s FIH World Cup will take place in The Hague between 2–15 June 2014.

As well as the tournament announcements, the ceremony also witnessed the signing of the new Memorandum of Understanding between the Continental Hockey Federations and the FIH. This is an extremely significant moment for hockey as it reinforces the importance of a close working relationship between the FIH and the five Continental Federations that play a crucial role in developing the game from grass roots to elite level and in ensuring hockey is a vibrant and sustainable sport in their regions and member countries.

Memorandums of Understanding between the FIH and all five continental federations have been concluded to reinforce the importance of a close working relationship.