'My next target for the whole year is very important. I have always set my goals in life. So now I have only one goal in my mind, that is we must win a gold medal in the Asian Games and directly qualify for the Olympics.'
With an aim to enhance mental toughness of the players ahead of upcoming international tournaments, the Indian hockey team management is all set to rope in a Bangalore-based lady sports psychologist on temporary basis.
The victorious Indian hockey team came home to a rousing welcome on arrival at the Delhi airport, in the wee hours of Tuesday, after clinching the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos, China.
As the Indian hockey team began getting a feel of the National Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, ruckus erupted outside the World Cup venue with authorities shunting out media on the pretext of security. A lensman desperate to get a peek inside jumped the gates only to be caught by the policemen, a handful of journalists sneaked in through unguarded gates while the rest fumed in frustration. And all this while the hockey team practiced inside.
PR Sreejesh was among the 19 recipients of the Padma Bhushan in 2025, it's the third highest civilian honour.
India take on China on Sunday in their opening match of the Asia Cup.
The selection trials will now be held on May 17 and 18.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is also highlighting how the Indian sports scene is changing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It's business as usual for the Indian men's and women's hockey players as they prepare for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics in a 'safe environment'. The Sports Authority of India Centre, which has been shut for outside visitors, is well-equipped for regular practice sessions and no unauthorised persons are allowed to enter its premises.
Drag-flicker Len Aiyappa was also included in the 16-man squad for the Afro-Asian Games.
Italy are gearing up for their Twenty20 World Cup debut, hoping a strong showing next month will help the sport break into popular culture in a soccer-obsessed nation that does not have a natural cricket pitch.
Bangladesh is likely to replace Pakistan in the men's Asia Cup hockey tournament to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 if the latter fails to confirm participation in the next couple of days.
The Indian women's hockey team beat Canada 3-1 in their second consecutive encounter on the USA tour in Manheim on Saturday. Poonam Rani scored India's opener in the 19th minute, Renuka Yadav (32) scored the second and Anuradha Thokchom (58) added another to the tally. India started off on the offensive and had a shot on target within the first few minutes, one that was saved by Rowan Harris in Canada's goal. A penalty corner was also squandered away, before the game settled into a midfield battle, as the teams played out a stalemate heading into the first break.
Indian women's team did not find a place in the top 10.
Indian men's junior hockey team chief coach PR Sreejesh on Friday advised his wards to consider the upcoming World Cup as a stepping stone in their careers, keeping their sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
A delighted Indian team chief coach PR Sreejesh lavished praise on his team's lion-hearted comeback to claim the bronze medal against Argentina, in the FIH Junior Men's World Cup, in Chennai, on Wednesday.
Waiting for ministry confirmation, but good decision to give Pak the nod: Tirkey
The top two teams from the Super 4s will progress to the summit clash, and a draw would be enough for India to seal their place in Sunday's final.
Olympians Mandeep Singh and Udita Duhan tied the knot in an elegant ceremony on Friday in Jalandhar.
'The feeling that we were Olympic champions only dawned on us when we reached India.'
Locked inside the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru due to the coronavirus forced restrictions, Indian Hockey players are utilising their free time to hone their English language skills, reading books and watching their favourite movies. The Indian men and women hockey teams are practicing at SAI centre Bengaluru where no unauthorised person can enter the campus.
The Indian women's hockey team will return to the Olympics after a long gap of 36 years as it qualified for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday, after England made it to the final of the ongoing EuroHockey Championships in London.
The Indian men's hockey team has been offered a cash reward of Rs. 1 crore for winning the World Cup.\n
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
The Indian women's hockey team has been struggling this year but chief coach Harendra Singh on Monday promised that his wards will play as a "new side" and will not disappoint the fans during the Asian Champions Trophy, beginning on November 11.
Fighting India beat Belgium in shoot-out to enter FIH Jr WC semifinals
After an impressive debut season where Soorma finished third, the club has chosen to keep its core intact, retaining the players who formed its backbone
Mid-fielder Salima Tete on Thursday replaced veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia as captain of the 24-strong Indian women's hockey squad for the Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League starting later this month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team for winning the Asia Cup title and said this success shows the increasing passion towards hockey, especially among the youth.
The Birmingham Commonwealth Games is scheduled from July 28 to August 8, while the Asian Games will be held from September 10 to 25 this year.
'We have stopped eating sweets, chocolates, spicy and oily food. We are are taking low carbs and balanced diet and feeling better'
Sreejesh, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, believes India have the potential to finish on the podium in the upcoming junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 till December 10.
Indian women's hockey team coach Sjoerd Marijne was livid after the 1-4 defeat to Great Britain at the Olympics, saying 'individual performances just weren't good enough'.
The general impression that the Indian hockey team concedes late goals has changed with its second successive Olympic bronze medal and the Harmanpreet Singh-led side is one of the best in the world in all aspects, feels the legendary Zafar Iqbal.
With no solution in sight to the payment dispute that has rocked Indian hockey, team sponsor Sahara on Wednesday sanctioned Rs one crore immediately, to be distributed only among the striking players in a bid to resolve the crisis.
As the much-awaited hockey men's World Cup is inching closer, music maestro AR Rahman has shared the glimpse of the much-anticipated official theme song and video of the hockey tournament, slated to be held from November 28 to December 16 in Bhubaneswar.
Hosts India maintained their unbeaten run with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against defending champions Korea in their opening Super 4 stage match of the Asia Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday.
IHF secretary Jothikumaran said the team is finalised but Gill would make the announcement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian men's hockey team for securing the bronze medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics on Thursday.
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