Savita will lead the 22-member Indian women’s hockey team for the 5-nation tournament
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New Delhi (Uttam Hindu News): Hockey India on Friday announced the 22-member Indian women’s hockey team for the upcoming 5-nation tournament to be held in Valencia, Spain from December 15 to 22.
India will play against Ireland, Germany, Spain and Belgium in the tournament which will serve as preparation work ahead of the crucial FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier Ranchi 2024, starting on January 13, 2024.
Top goalkeeper Savita has been made the captain and experienced player Vandana Kataria has been made the vice-captain of the team.
The squad includes Savita along with Bichu Devi Kharibam as the goalkeeper, while Gurjeet Kaur in the backline along with Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Choudhary and Akshata Abaso Dhekale will return to the list of defenders.
The midfield includes Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Monica, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Jyoti and Baljeet Kaur. The forward row consists of Jyoti Chhatri, Sangeeta Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Kataria, Beauty Dungdung and Sharmila Devi.
On the team selection, Indian women’s hockey team head coach Janek Schopman said, “We are going with a well-balanced, strong team. The tournament gives the players an ideal platform to build on recent performances and put themselves in the right frame of mind keeping in mind the important FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024.”
“The matches against the top European teams will also help us identify areas that need improvement ahead of the tournament and we are looking forward to making the most of this opportunity,” he said.
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