India's U-21 men's hockey team will host Malaysia for an eight-match exposure series in Bengaluru from August 7-13, serving as crucial preparation for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup and strengthening bilateral sporting ties.
The Indian junior men's hockey team is undergoing a preparatory camp in Dalian, China, playing three practice matches against the host country's junior team. This camp is crucial for fine-tuning their skills and strategy ahead of the Junior Asia Cup, scheduled from September 4 to 13 in Moqi, China.
Hockey India has announced the Indian U-18 Men's and Women's squads for the upcoming home series against Australia, which will be held in Bhopal from May 15 to 20. The series is a crucial part of the teams' preparations for the U-18 Asia Cup in Japan.
Indian junior women's hockey team head coach Tim White has lauded the growing talent pool in the country's age-group national pathway during his scouting visit to the ongoing India-Australia U-18 exposure series in Bhopal. White emphasised the importance of building a strong connection between the youth tiers and the senior national team, aiming to develop players ready for world-class performance.
India's Under-18 boys and girls hockey teams, mentored by Sardar Singh and Rani Rampal, are set to compete in the Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan, after intensive training and exposure matches.
Salima Tete will lead the Indian women's hockey team in their upcoming tour of Australia, with Lalthantluangi and Shilpi Dabas receiving their first senior team call-ups.
Indian junior women's hockey coach Tim White emphasises the need for physical improvement to match international standards, while senior team coach Sjoerd Marijne highlights the importance of mental resilience and finishing skills.
Ketan Kushwaha has been appointed as the captain of the Indian U18 team for the upcoming Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan. The squad was selected after a national coaching camp in Bhopal, which included exposure matches against Australia U-18.
Sweety Kujur has been named captain of the 18-member Indian women's U-18 squad for the Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kakamigahara, Japan, from May 29-June 6.
India chief coach Craig Fulton credited the team's fighting spirit and sharpness of the players on the pitch for the dominant 5-3 win over World champions and Olympics silver medallist Germany in the second and final hockey Test in New Delhi on Thursday.
Former Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal announced her retirement on Thursday, ending a glittering 16-year career.
Harmanpreet Singh will lead a 24-member Indian squad in the Europe leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League starting on May 22.
The star goalkeeper said Indian women's hockey has grown by leaps and bounds, offering financial independence to its players.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said India can win a World Cup medal this time after a hiatus of 48 years but for that the home side needs to make use of penalty corners.
India's newly-appointed men's hockey chief coach Graham Reid took charge of the national camp in Bengaluru and asked his players to put the team first in his maiden address to them.
India's star drag-flicker V Raghunath netted two goals to help the hosts settle for a 2-2 draw against world champions Australia in the first hockey Test of the three-match series, in Rajnandgaon, on Thursday.
The newly-formed national hockey selection committee named a 22-strong squad, sans a fixed captain, for an away seven-match Test series against Canada next month. Interestingly, the committee did not name a captain for the exposure trip, saying captaincy will rotate during the October 2-25 tour.
The Indian men's hockey team's biggest gain this year was the emergence of some talented fresh faces.
An important factor in India's stupendous success in 2021 was the way the government opened its coffers to support athletes.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday.
Looking back, the Indians had rubbed their hands in delight at the variety of marquee events at home the sporting calendar of 2017 offered, and they now look forward, with optimism and anticipation, to a challenging 2018.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Frida
