News for 15 February 2021
All the news for Monday 15 February 2021
Women’s hockey probables for Tokyo Olympics announced
New Delhi: Hockey India on Sunday announced the 25-member core probable group for the Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp as part of the team’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
After a two-week break following their Argentina Tour, the core group will assemble at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bengaluru on 14 February 2020 and will undergo mandatory quarantine.
In January, the 25-member core group had set out on their first tour in over 12 months and despite not registering a win on the tour, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marjine was happy with the effort put in by his team against the World No.2 side.
Marjine said, “Considering this was our first tour after a year-long break due to the pandemic, I am quite pleased with the way the team performed. We improved match-by-match and this is a positive step in our preparations for the Olympic Games. Basis this performance, we will be planning the next steps that needs improvement and will be focusing on those areas during this camp.”
“While we are in quarantine, we will make use of this time to analyze in detail every single match we played in Argentina. Each player will be tasked with an assignment to present to the team the areas they need to improve upon. What I am particularly happy about with this team is that they are vocal about the changes they want to make in their performance. They accept criticism and are able to move on with determination to improve,” he said.
The 25-member probable list includes goalkeepers Savita, Rajani Etimarpu and Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defenders selected for the national camp includes Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Salima Tete, Manpreet Kaur, Gurjit Kaur and Nisha.
Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Neha, Lilima Minz, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Namita Toppo are the midfielders called-up for the National Camp while forwards Rani, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Jyoti, Sharmila Devi, Udita, Rashmita Minz will also report for the camp.
The National Coaching Camp concludes on April 7, 2021.
Senior Women’s Core Probable List
Goalkeepers
1. Savita (Hockey Haryana)
2. Rajani Etimarpu (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
3. Bichu Devi Kharibam (Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy)
Defenders
4. Deep Grace Ekka (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
5. Reena Khokhar (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
6. Salima Tete (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
7. Manpreet Kaur (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
8. Gurjit Kaur (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
9. Nisha (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
Midfielders
10. Nikki Pradhan (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
11. Monika (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
12. Neha (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
13. Lilima Minz (Odisha State Warehousing Corporation)
14. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
15. Namita Toppo (Odisha Mining Corporation)
Forwards
16. Rani (Sports Authority of India – NS NIS Patiala)
17. Lalremsiami (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
18. Vandana Katariya (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
19. Navjot Kaur (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
20. Navneet Kaur (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
21. Rajwinder Kaur (Hockey Punjab)
22. Jyoti (Railway Sports Promotion Board)
23. Sharmila Devi (Him Academy)
24. Udita (Development of Sports and Youth Affairs, Haryana)
25. Rashmita Minz (Hockey Odisha)
Stick2Hockey.com
Tokyo calling! Indian women’s hockey team resumes camp for Olympics
The Indian women’s hockey team will be looking to iron out the problems identified during the tour of Argentina last month.
By Naveen Peter
The Indian women’s hockey team has started preparing for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics with the national camp resuming at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Back after a winless tour of Argentina that saw India play against the world No. 2 side, chief coach Sjoerd Marijne has listed areas that his team needs to work upon building up to Tokyo 2020.
“Considering this was our first tour after a year-long break due to the pandemic, I am quite pleased with the way the team performed,” the Dutchman said.
“We improved match-by-match and this is a positive step in our preparations for the Olympic Games. Based on this performance, we are planning the next steps that need improvement and will be focusing on those areas during this camp.”
The Indian eves played seven matches during the Argentina tour. They drew the first two matches against the host’s junior team, lost the next two against a B side, and then lost two and drew one against Argentina seniors.
Sjoerd Marijne has named the same 25-member team that travelled to Argentina for the national camp in Bengaluru with each player handed out a specific task during the mandatory 14-day quarantine period before they can hit the turf.
“While we are in quarantine, we will make use of this time to analyse in detail every single match we played in Argentina. Each player is tasked with an assignment to present to the team the areas they need to improve upon,” Marijne said.
“What I am particularly happy about with this team is that they are vocal about the changes they want to make in their performance. They accept criticism and are able to move on with determination to improve.”
The camp concludes on April 7.
Indian hockey women's team core probable group
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Reena Khokhar, Salima Tete, Manpreet Kaur, Gurjit Kaur, Nisha
Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Neha, Lilima Minz, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Namita Toppo
Forwards: Rani Rampal, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur, Jyoti, Sharmila Devi, Udita, Rashmita Minz
Olympic Channel
Pakistan bids to host international FIH Nations Cup hockey
Pakistan will bid to host the first FIH Nations Cup (men) when the competition format begins in 2022.
The men’s and women’s Nations Cup will comprise the eight nations in the rankings outside those who compete in the Pro League.
The new global tournament will herald the start of promotion and relegation from the FIH Pro League.
Pakistan, who last hosted the Champions Trophy in 2004, have dipped in the world rankings and have played little international hockey since being suspended from the inaugural FIH Pro League.
Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Asif Bajwa said: “The eight-nation will not only help us improve hockey following in the country, it would also boost our finances.”
Asked about security issues hosting events, Bajwa added: “Gone are the days when there was security fears in Pakistan. South Africa are here to play cricket series.”
A successful bid would likely see Lahore host the tournament.
FIH Nations Cup teams
Men:
Canada (10*); Malaysia (11); France (12); Ireland (13); South Africa (14); Japan (15); Korea (16); Pakistan (17); Austria (20); Egypt (21)
Women:
Spain (7); Ireland (8); India (9); Korea (11); Japan (13); Canada (14); South Africa (16); Italy (17); Chile (18); Russia (19)
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PHF to bid for eight-nation hockey next month
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will bid for an eight-nation event meant for the FIH Pro League’s backup teams.
The bid will be tabled with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) next month with the event set to be held early next year.
PHF secretary Asif Bajwa has told ‘The News’ that the FIH has already been approached to extend help in bringing international hockey back to Pakistan. “The country that has given a lot to hockey deserves to get its share in international events and there will be no better occasion than to host the eight-nation hockey scheduled to be held in the first quarter of 2022.
“We are all set to apply for this important event in March and would do all we could to make international body realise that we need this event to get things going as far as the return of international hockey is concerned.”
World’s top eight teams are currently busy playing FIH Pro League.
“After the bitter experience of the FIH Pro League I, we had decided not to compete in the second edition. Instead we are focusing on restructuring the system, boosting up finances and then going for hosting and competing in international events. By the grace of Allah Almighty, we would be in a position in a year time to organise international events. The eight-nation will not only help us improve hockey following in the country, it would also boost our finances. The PHF used to get major sponsorship by organising Champions Trophy and other international events in the past. We want to restart that trend. Admitted that unless and until we organise international hockey in Pakistan, it would be difficult to increase the fans following for the game.”
The secretary PHF added that they were planning to make a strong bid to host the international event. “Gone are the days when there was security fears in Pakistan. South Africa are here to play cricket series.
The News International
Diipreet Singh on training opportunities
Indian hockey forward Dilpreet Singh says Taking each training session as opportunity to make strong case for spot in Olympic squad
Indian hockey forward Dilpreet Singh, who has been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bangalore as part of the Men’s Senior Core Probable Group, is eyeing to make the cut in the final 16 who will represent India at the prestigious Tokyo Olympics, slated to begin in July.
The 21-year-old striker expressed that due to lack of major competitions in the pandemic-affected 2020, he’s taking each training session as an opportunity to make a strong case for a spot in the Olympics squad. “We don’t want to be worrying about factors that are not in our control. I don’t want to wait until I get an opportunity to play a match for India to make a strong case for myself but make the most of the opportunity I am getting here at the camp to showcase my skills and prove my worth. We are giving 100 per cent in each and every training session,” Dilpreet said in a statement.
Speaking about his improvement and getting a chance to train again with senior players in the camp, the young gun added, “I have been working on my technical game. I have improved on my finishing. Watching senior players play and spending time with them, helps younger players gain confidence and of course, improve our game. We ask senior players for tips and guidance, and they have been helpful to us throughout.”
Dilpreet, who was a part of the Silver Medal-winning and Bronze Medal-winning teams at the Hockey Champions Trophy Breda 2018 and the Asian Games 2018 respectively, returned to the junior core group after the 2018 World Cup.
Speaking about the omission, the Amritsar lad expressed, “I was quite upset with myself because I have been a part of almost all the major tournaments, and I was eager to feature in the Olympics as well. But, omission from the senior core group hit me hard and made me realise I had thrown away the golden opportunity and had to work harder.”
However a year later after performing well in the junior core probables, Dilpreet was called back for the FIH Pro League tie against World Champions Belgium.
“I started from scratch. I trained really hard in the Junior camp to at least make a place in the senior team. I used to shadow each, and every drill done by the senior team. I was in constant touch with senior players for that, I asked them for guidance, and finally in 2020, I was back in the core group for the FIH Hockey Pro League. Postponement of the Olympics gave players like myself an opportunity to improve and make the most out of the situation. Team selection is not in my hands, I am focused on giving my 100 per cent on the field and improve day-by-day,” he signed off.
Inside Sport