At the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium, Kazakhstan marked its return to the Asia Cup after 31 long years. The Central Asian side, ranked 81st in the FIH standings, found itself up against Asia’s elite. The task was daunting, the scoreboards harsh, yet the journey brimmed with inspiration and valuable lessons.
Harsh Welcome from Japan
Kazakhstan’s opening game ended in a 7-0 defeat to Japan. For Coach Olga Urmanova and her players, however, the match meant more than numbers on a screen.
Kazakhstan returns after 31 years. Our goals were to gain as much experience as possible and stay in Division A.
A Spark Against China
If Japan showed them the gulf in class, China reminded them of the realities of elite competition. Yet, the match began with a bright spark – Kazakhstan stunned their opponents by taking a 1-0 lead. What followed was a 13-goal barrage from China, but that fleeting moment revealed the Kazakh team’s intent: to fight, not merely endure.
We planned to give our best, fight hard, and gain experience.
Building Hockey from the Ground Up
Field hockey is still taking root in Kazakhstan. Over the last 15 years, six men’s and six women’s clubs have been formed, creating a foundation for international competition. Their appearance at the Asia Cup was not just about results, but about validation – proof of progress, commitment, and resilience.
Pressure as a Teacher
Competing against Asia’s best naturally brought pressure, but the Kazakh players embraced it.
Yes, we felt pressure because the level here is very high, and we like it.
That pressure turned into learning, as the team tested their skills, absorbed the pace of top-level hockey, and discovered what it takes to compete on this stage.
Lessons from Limited Exposure
Kazakhstan’s last major test came at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. With almost a decade between tournaments, the Asia Cup became a crash course in elite hockey. Each game, win or loss, offered invaluable lessons in resilience, technical improvement, and tactical adaptation.
Beyond the Scoreboard
Their final group match against India loomed as another stern test, but for Kazakhstan, the tournament had already delivered its purpose. Every pass, every tackle, every moment of defiance was a step forward for a nation still shaping its hockey identity. In the end, Kazakhstan will leave Bihar without silverware, but with something far more enduring: belief. Their courage to stand alongside Asia’s giants sends a powerful message to other emerging teams – that the journey itself is a victory, and every experience lays the foundation for a brighter future.
