Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team Prepares for European Tour with Rohit as Captain

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Prepares for European Tour with Rohit as Captain

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team Embarks on European Tour with Rohit as Captain

The Indian junior men’s hockey team, under the leadership of defender Rohit, is set to embark on a European tour from May 20-29. The 20-member squad will play five matches across three nations—Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands—as part of Hockey India’s initiative to provide the team with valuable exposure and experience.

Rohit, who has been a key member of the Indian junior team for the past two years, expressed his excitement about the upcoming tour. “We have been training hard at our camp and have developed an understanding of each other’s gameplay,” he said. “It will be wonderful to play together against teams from other nations to help us build on our game and get better through this kind of exposure.”

The team’s vice-captain, Shardanand Tiwari, echoed Rohit’s sentiments. “This will be a wonderful experience and will go a long way in evaluating where we stand as a team and as individual players,” he said. “It will be a great way to figure out our strengths and what areas we would need to touch upon.”

The Indian team will face a tough challenge during their tour, as they will be playing against some of the top junior teams in Europe. However, the players are confident that they can perform well and gain valuable experience.

“We are all very excited about this tour,” said midfielder Ankit Pal. “We have been working hard in training and we are ready to give our best on the field. We know that the competition will be tough, but we are confident that we can perform well and make our country proud.”

The Indian team will play their first match on May 20 against Belgium in Antwerp, before playing the same opponents in Breda, Netherlands on May 22. India will then play the Netherlands’ Club team Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Breda on May 23, followed by a game against Germany on May 28 in Germany. They will then return to Breda to play Germany once again on 29th May in their final match of the tour.

Salima Tete Replaces Savita Punia as Indian Women's Hockey Captain

Salima Tete Replaces Savita Punia as Indian Women’s Hockey Captain

The Indian women’s hockey team has undergone a leadership change, with Salima Tete taking over as captain from Savita Punia. The decision was made with an eye towards the future, including the 2026 World Cup and Asian Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Tete, 22, has been a regular member of the squad since 2019 and has helped India win several medals, including bronze at the 2022 Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. She was also named Player of the Year 2023 by Hockey India.

“I am happy that I have been appointed to lead the team,” said Tete. “It is a big responsibility and I am looking forward to this new role. We have a strong squad and it’s a mix of experienced and young players.”

Tete will be supported by Navneet Kaur, who has replaced Deep Grace Ekka as vice-captain. The 28-year-old Kaur will share duties as an attacking midfielder.

“In the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the Pro League, we look to put our strong foot forward,” said Kaur. “We have been training rigorously in the camp. We have worked on areas where we needed to improve. I am sure that we will put up good performances and get the results we desire.”

Savita, 33, will continue to play as a goalkeeper, along with Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defensive line-up includes Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary.

The midfield will be marshalled by Tete, Kaur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, and Lalremsiami. The forward line will have Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, and Deepika Soreng.

India has had a mixed performance in the Pro League so far, with two outright wins, one shootout victory, and five losses. They will play four matches against Argentina and hosts Belgium in Antwerp from May 22 to 26 before travelling to London where they will face Germany and hosts Great Britain in another four games from June 1 to 9.

Indian Hockey Team Counts Down to Paris Olympics with 100 Days to Go

Indian Hockey Team Counts Down to Paris Olympics with 100 Days to Go

With just 100 days remaining until the Paris Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team is intensifying its preparations, recognizing the significance of every practice and drill in building momentum for the prestigious event.

Harmanpreet Singh, the team captain, emphasized the team’s determination to improve upon their bronze medal performance in Tokyo. “We are hungry to improve our result in Paris,” he said. “Every day, every practice, every drill counts towards that goal.”

The team’s recent tour of Australia, where they were whitewashed 0-5, served as a wake-up call, highlighting areas that need improvement. “We have identified the areas we need to work on,” said Hardik Singh, the team’s vice-captain. “We will iron out any remaining issues well in time for the Olympics.”

Chief coach Craig Fulton is keeping the team on track with a rigorous training schedule. “The countdown to the Olympics is always in our minds,” said Harmanpreet. “We are focused and ready to shine.”

India’s qualification for the Paris Olympics came through their gold medal victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. In Paris, they will face defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Pool B.

The team’s unity and shared goal of winning the gold medal are driving their efforts. “We are a close-knit group with a common purpose,” said Harmanpreet. “We will give our all in the remaining 100 days to make our dream a reality.”

Harendra Singh Frontrunner to Coach Indian Women's Hockey Team

Harendra Singh Frontrunner to Coach Indian Women’s Hockey Team

Harendra Singh, a seasoned coach with a proven track record in Indian hockey, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Janneke Schopman as the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. Singh recently appeared for an interview with Hockey India, the national governing body, which has indicated that he is the preferred candidate to lead the team after its disappointing failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Singh previously served as the head coach of the Indian women’s team from 2017 to 2018, guiding them to a gold medal at the 2017 Asia Cup. He also coached the Indian junior men’s team to victory at the 2016 Junior World Cup.

Sources within Hockey India have expressed confidence in Singh’s ability to revive the women’s team. “Harendra is the best person to take the women’s side to where it belongs,” said a source. “He knows the structure of Indian hockey and has a proven track record of success.”

However, negotiations over Singh’s salary could pose a challenge. As the current coach of the United States men’s team, Singh is reportedly earning a substantial salary. Hockey India’s salary cap for Indian coaches is Rs 3 lakh per month, but Singh may demand a higher amount.

Hockey India secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that Harendra appeared for the interview but emphasized that no decision has been made yet. “There are 11-12 candidates, and we will decide taking into account every aspect,” he said.

If appointed, Singh will replace Schopman, who resigned last month citing a difficult work environment for foreign coaches in India. Schopman’s departure came after the women’s team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, a major setback for Indian hockey.

Singh’s appointment would mark a return to the helm of the Indian women’s team for the experienced coach. His previous stint with the team was cut short in 2018 when he was replaced by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne.

Indian Hockey Team's Paris Olympics Schedule Unveiled

Indian Hockey Team’s Paris Olympics Schedule Unveiled

India’s Hockey Odyssey at Paris Olympics: Schedule Unveiled

The Indian men’s hockey team’s path to glory at the Paris Olympics has been laid out, with the release of the official match schedule. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists will embark on their quest for a podium finish on July 27, facing New Zealand in their opening encounter.

India’s Pool B campaign will continue with a clash against Argentina on July 29, followed by a showdown with Ireland on July 30. The team will then face the formidable Belgium on August 1 and conclude their group stage against Australia on August 2.

Pool A features an equally competitive lineup, including the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France, Great Britain, and South Africa. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for August 4. The semifinals will take place on August 6, setting the stage for the bronze-medal playoff and the grand finale on August 8.

The matches will be held at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes, a historic venue that has witnessed countless sporting triumphs. Belgium, the reigning Olympic champions, will be eager to defend their title, while India will be determined to improve upon their bronze medal performance in Tokyo.

The schedule announcement was made in the presence of International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach and FIH president Tayyab Ikram, underscoring the significance of the event. The Indian team will now have a clear roadmap as they prepare for the biggest stage in hockey.

Indian Women's Hockey Team to Undergo Major Overhaul for 2028 Olympics

Indian Women’s Hockey Team to Undergo Major Overhaul for 2028 Olympics

The Indian women’s hockey team’s failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics has sparked a call for a major overhaul. With 16 fewer athletes set to travel to the Games, experts believe it’s time to rebuild the team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Former coach Neil Hawgood emphasizes the need to identify players who will be available in 2028 and start a new project involving junior team players. He suggests using the Pro League as a platform for their growth. Sjoerd Marijne, the team’s coach for the Tokyo Olympics, agrees, stressing the importance of choosing players who will play for India for a long time.

India’s next major tournaments will be in 2026, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Cup. The Asian Games hold particular significance as a gold medal would secure a direct qualification for the LA Olympics. Hawgood believes India should use the Pro League as an exposure and experimental tournament to inject young blood and build a solid bench strength.

Former captain Pritam Rani Siwach echoes this sentiment, calling for a mix of juniors and seniors to create a core group that can play until LA. She also advocates for a development camp to identify and promote talented players.

One crucial area that needs improvement is penalty corner conversion. Marijne emphasizes the need to work on converting chances into goals. Another key aspect is the exposure given to the second goalkeeper. The reliance on Savita Punia has been overwhelming, and the team could face problems when she retires.

Finally, the search for a new coach is underway. Hawgood believes it’s time for a local coach with a foreign advisor to develop a solid link between senior and junior teams.

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