Asian Games: With a month to go for the Asian Games, Hockey India on Saturday named a 34-member core probable group for the Women’s National camp. The camp will begin on 13th August 2023 at SAI Centre in Bengaluru. It will conclude on 18th September before the team departs to Hangzhou in China for the Asian Games.
Also Read: India Hockey Team Schedule for Asian Games 2023 announced
According to a release from Hockey India, the core group includes goalkeepers Savita Punia, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki. Deep Grace Ekka leads the defenders that also includes Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary.
Among the 12 midfielders, Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam are some of the prominent names. While Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya and Sharmila Devi are among the 9 forwards named.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said, “The upcoming camp is an important one for us as we are spearheading our preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games. It 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. Also we 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.
Indian players last played in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament in Barcelona last month. The team went on to win the tournament by defeating hosts Spain 3-0.
In the Asian Games, India are placed in Pool A along with Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong China, and Singapore. The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will begin their campaign at the Hangzhou Asian Games against Singapore on 27th September 2023.
List of players in India’s 34-member 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 Phalka, Ajmina Kujur
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, Beauty Dungdung
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