Hockey India Unveils 34-Member Squad for National Women’s Coaching Camp
In preparation for the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi, Hockey India has announced a 34-member core probable group for the senior women’s national coaching camp. The camp, scheduled from November 22 to December 10, will play a crucial role in fine-tuning strategies and maintaining momentum for the Indian women’s hockey team.
The selected players will be gearing up for the 5 Nations Tournament in Valencia, set to take place from December 15 to December 22. The tournament will see India facing off against formidable opponents, including Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and hosts Spain, providing a valuable opportunity to test their mettle against European teams.
Expressing the significance of these preparations, Janneke Schopman, the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team, emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum heading into critical competitions, particularly the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024.
The core group comprises a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, with the goalkeepers including Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki. The defensive lineup features stalwarts like Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, and Akshata Abaso Dhekale. The midfield and forward sections include players like Nisha, Salima Tete, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, and others.
The team, which also secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games, remained unbeaten in the tournament featuring teams like China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. With the focus firmly set on securing a spot at the Paris Olympics, the coaching camp and subsequent tournaments serve as crucial building blocks in the Indian women’s hockey team’s journey towards achieving their Olympic qualification goals
Re-reported from the article originally published in The Republic TV English
