India aims to secure Paris Olympic Games spot in FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers

In anticipation of a challenging tournament, Indian women’s hockey team captain Savita Punia is relying on strong support from local hockey enthusiasts and the team’s diligent preparation for the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier starting on Saturday in Ranchi. The captain addressed a press conference, highlighting the positive experience of support during the Asian Champions Trophy and expressing excitement about playing in Ranchi once again.

The eight-team FIH Olympic Qualifiers feature India in Group B alongside New Zealand, the United States, and Italy. Eight teams are vying for three spots available at Ranchi for the Paris Olympic Games later this year. While Germany is expected to secure one of the spots, India, along with New Zealand, USA, and Japan, will compete for the remaining berths.

Savita emphasized the team’s extensive preparation, both individually and collectively, leading up to the event. Despite entering the qualifiers without experienced players like Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu, Vandana Katariya, and Gurjiot Kaur, the captain expressed determination to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. The team’s focus is on their own performance and matches, with an emphasis on preparing well for the upcoming challenges.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper, boasting 266 appearances for the country, acknowledged the strength of opponent teams but stressed the importance of focusing on their strengths and addressing weaknesses. She recognized the tough competition in the Olympic Qualifiers, highlighting the strong teams present and their collective efforts to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.

Addressing the recent 4-2 defeat to Germany in a practice match, Savita stated that the team is currently focused on the next opponent, the USA. Practice matches serve the purpose of assessing the team’s standing and testing various strategies. The captain expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance against Germany for three-quarters of the match and emphasized that their attention is now on the upcoming match against the USA.

-IANS