34 key probables selected for Asian Games women’s national hockey camp
Bengaluru (IANS). Hockey India on Saturday announced a 34-member core probables group for the Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp to begin on Monday (August 13) at the SAI Center here.
The camp will conclude on September 18 ahead of the prestigious Hangzhou Asian Games which begins on September 23.
The Indian women’s hockey team will open its campaign at the Asian Games on September 27 against Singapore. India has been placed in Pool A along with Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The Indian players will enter the camp on a high after their 3-0 win over hosts Spain in the international tournament organized to mark the 100th anniversary of the Spanish Hockey Federation in Barcelona last month.
The core group includes goalkeepers Savita, Rajni Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam and Bansari Solanki, while defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Choudhary, Akshata Abasso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri and Mahima Choudhary.
Midfielders called up for the camp include Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Marianna Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljit Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Phalke and Ajmina Kujur.
The list of forwards in the core probables also includes Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Kataria, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangeeta Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo and Beauty Dungdung.
Speaking about the upcoming national coaching camp, Indian women’s hockey team head coach Janek Shapman said, “We have shown in our recent competitions that we are growing as a team and are constantly learning. It is important for us as we have to assess our preparations for the Asian Games, which could be our way to secure a berth for the Paris Olympics 2024.”
“We will work on areas in camp where we still need to improve and focus on making sure all players are comfortable playing the kind of hockey we want to play. Get on the same page before the all-important contest.”
Core-potential group:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajni Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjeet Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chowdhary, Akshata Abasso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chowdhary
Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljit Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke, Ajmina Kujur
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Dev, Deepika, Sangeeta Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, Beauty Dungdung.
