The men’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup beginning here on November 24 will be held behind closed doors as the organisers feel it will be difficult to enforce COVID-19 protocols if spectators turn up in large numbers.

The junior showpiece event will be played at the Kalinga Stadium from November 24 to December 5. Hosts India are the defending champions. “With the sheer popularity of the sport in this region and expected crowds in the stadium, the organisers believe it will not be possible to control that number of people and yet follow all the necessary covid guidelines and protocols,” Hockey India said in a release on Tuesday.