A 34-member core likely group was announced on Saturday by Hockey India for the senior women’s national coaching camp, which will get underway on Monday (August 13) at the SAI Centre in this city.
Prior to the renowned Hangzhou Asian Games, which are set to begin on September 23, the camp will wrap up on September 18.
On September 27, India’s women’s hockey team will play Singapore in the opening match at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Along with the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore, India is in Pool A.
After winning the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament in Barcelona last month with a 3-0 victory over the hosts Spain, the Indian players would be going into the camp with confidence.
Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki are among the goalkeepers who make up the core group. The list of defenders also includes Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary.
Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljeet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Phalke, and Ajmina Kujur are among the midfielders who have been called up to the camp. Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, and Beauty Dungdung are also included on the list of forwards for the core probable group.
Speaking about the upcoming national coaching camp, Indian Women’s hockey team chief coach Janneke Schopman said, “We have showcased in our recent competitions that we are growing as a team and are constantly learning. The upcoming camp is an important one for us as we are spearheading our preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games which could be our road to securing a spot for the Paris Olympics 2024.”
“We will work on the areas where we still need to improve in the camp and will focus on ensuring all the players are comfortable in playing the kind of hockey that we want to play. It is important that all of us are on the same page before the all-important competition ahead for us,” Schopman signed off.
The core-probable group:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki;
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chaudhary;
Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljeet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Ajmina Kujur;
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Dev, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, Beauty Dungdung.
-IANS
