Hockey India, the apex body for the administration of hockey in India, has announced a 33-member core group for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the team’s performance and preparing them for upcoming international tournaments.
The selection process was rigorous, with the initial 60-member assessment squad being whittled down to 33 after selection trials held on April 6th and 7th. The selected players will continue to train at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Bangalore until May 16th.
Hockey India’s 33-member squad
The core group includes goalkeepers Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo.
The defenders are Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, and Preeti.
The midfielders include Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Ajmina Kujur, and Nisha.
The forwards are Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.
Notably, the squad includes players like Preeti Dubey, who made her last appearance for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team in the Hockey World League Semi-Final in 2017 and has now made her way back into the National setup. Also, players like Madhuri Kindo, Ropni Kumari, Preeti, Edula Jyoti, Deepika Soreng, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal have been promoted from the Junior Indian Women’s Hockey Team that featured in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023.
Hockey India High-Performance Director Herman Kruis expressed his expectations from the new core group, stating that the selected players have the potential to propel the Indian Women’s Hockey Team to greater heights. The team is set to participate in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24, where they will face Argentina, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain.
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