Hockey India Names 34-member Core Probable Group For National Women's Coaching Camp

FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi: Hockey India named the 34-member core probable group for the Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp, scheduled to take place from November 22 to December 10 at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru, ahead of the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023, set to take place between December 15 to December 22.

India, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and hosts Spain will be competing in the five-nations tournament in Valencia. It is a key step in Indian women's hockey team's preparations for the all-important FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024 set to begin on January 13.

The Indian Women will feel confident as they return to camp after a dominating performance at the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023 earlier this month. India claimed the Gold Medal defeating Japan 4-0 in the Final. India also remained unbeaten in the tournament which also saw participation from China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The core group includes goalkeepers Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki, while Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary form the group of defenders.

Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljeet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, and Ajmina Kujur are the midfielders called up the camp, while Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, and Beauty Dungdung form the forwards line-up.

Chief Coach Janneke Schopman explained the importance of the upcoming camp and said, "We have been in good form over the past couple of months, with the Bronze medal at the Asian Games and the Gold medal in the Asian Champions Trophy. But it is important for us to continue to maintain our momentum and ensure we remain in the right frame of mind going into important competitions next year. Our sights are set on the Paris Olympics and to ensure a spot, we have to perform well at the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024.

"The five-nations tournament is a good chance for us to test ourselves against European teams and also plan our strategies and make modifications as and when needed. The National Coaching Camp will allow us to regroup once again and work on the areas where we still need to go and provide us with a roadmap to ensure we achieve our immediate goals."

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 Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, Beauty Dungdung