Nitish Kumar introduces the mascot and logo for the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy.

INN/Patna, @Infodeaofficial

The mascot and emblem of the Women’s Asian Champions Hockey Trophy 2024, which will take place in the recently built Rajgir stadium from November 11 to 20, 2024, were introduced by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday.

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh and Director General of the Bihar State Sports Authority Ravindran Sankaran were among the notable figures in sports administration and hockey that attended the historic event.

Salima Tete, the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, and Navneet Kaur, the vice captain, carried torchbearers, lending a sense of grandeur to the event. An important turning point in the state’s sporting history will occur when Asia’s hockey powerhouses vie for continental supremacy from November 11–20, 2024, in the mediaeval city of Rajgir, Bihar.

The emblem, which highlights the rich cultural background of the state while also representing Bihar’s dedication to sports and women’s empowerment, is a fusion of sports and tradition. The famous Bodhi Tree, a symbol closely associated with Bihar’s spiritual past, lies at the centre of the design.

Its intertwined branches, which resemble an athlete’s journey, stand for resilience and growth. With a nod to the past and an eye towards the future, this creative portrayal highlights Bihar’s expanding prominence in international sports.

During the ceremony, “Gudiya,” the mascot, was also revealed. Gudiya, a term of endearment that is frequently used in Bihar to tenderly address young girls, has a strong emotional connection with women of all ages. The house sparrow, an endangered bird, served as the inspiration for the mascot, which represents resiliency and strength while also reflecting Bihar’s natural history.

Gudiya embodies the spirit of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 with her audacious attitude and self-assured expression that depict the players’ determination and athleticism. This mascot choice not only fits in with the community’s culture but also promotes female athletes’ equality and increases public awareness of the need to save endangered animals.

The Asian Hockey Federation’s (AHF) president, Fumio Ogura, commended the logo and mascot’s reveal, emphasising their symbolic and cultural value.

“Bihar’s legacy and the spirit of women’s sports are aptly encapsulated in the emblem and mascot of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. “We express our gratitude to Hockey India, the International Hockey Federation (FIH), and the Government of Bihar for their invaluable support,” Fumio Ogura stated, as cited on the official Hockey India website.

In line with these feelings, the Bihar State Sports Authority’s director general, Ravindran Sankaran, stated: “We are excited to welcome this famous competition to Rajgir, marking another important milestone in Bihar’s journey towards becoming a sports destination. The debut of Gudiya, the mascot, is a momentous occasion that embodies the resilience and ethos of our athletes and the people of Bihar. This event is evidence of the enormous progress we are making in developing sporting talent and infrastructure.”

“We’re all thrilled to announce ‘Gudiya’ as the mascot and the logo. It represents Bihar’s dedication to sports as well as its rich cultural and natural legacy. Additionally, I want to sincerely thank the Government of Bihar for all of their help in making the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy possible,” stated Dilip Tirkey.

“The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy being held in the culturally diverse state of Bihar is a proud occasion for Indian hockey. He claimed that the competition’s significance and the athletes’ fortitude, progress, and strength are exquisitely represented by the mascot, Gudiya, and the logo.