Consolation bronze in Asiad can't heal our pain, says hockey captain Sreejesh
The inexperienced Indian team meet Pakistan in the last match of the four-Test series on Friday.
Why India can't deny Pakistan entry to multi-lateral events on its soil
India hockey captain P R Sreejesh on Tuesday dedicated the Asian Championship Trophy triumph to the Indian soldiers martyred in the Uri attack and their families, saying it's a Diwali gift to those who lost their lives while safeguarding the country.
Not only did the Indian High Commission issue visa to the players, the new sponsors have also released nine million Pakistani rupees to cover the team's expenses in the tournament to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 28 to December 16.
In a startling revelation, Pakistan hockey team's sacked manager Asif Bajwa has claimed that the team deliberately lost its World Cup qualifying league match against Poland to avoid hosts France in the final last year.
Coach Roelant Oltmans expressed confidence that the team would make it to the semi-final.
Former Team India hockey stars Rupinder Pal Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Jugraj Singh are now engaged in a different 'field work' - they are part of the relief and rescue operations in flood-affected Punjab.
The Indian women's hockey team lifted its maiden Asian Champions Trophy title with a thrilling 2-1 win over China in the final, in Singapore on Saturday.
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.
Besides two goalkeepers, the Asian Games-bound team will have six defenders, five midfielders and as many forwards.
India is the second-most successful team in the Sultan of Johor Cup, having won three titles (2013, 2014, and 2022). Only Great Britain, with four titles, have dine better than them.
Dilip Tirkey's side will be looking for another good showing when it meets Pakistan in the third Test of the four-Test series.
Pakistan's sports minister Riaz Pirzada has said that consultations would be held with the relevant government ministries to consider imposing a complete ban on sports team from the country taking part in any event on Indian soil. "We are considering taking such a step after the treatment meted out to the Pakistan junior hockey team by the Indian High Commission and the International Hockey Federation which is headed by an Indian," he told the media.
Winning the eighth Junior Men's Asia Cup hockey tournament is just the beginning for the Indian colts; they need to frequently face "sterner tests" to become world beaters, feels coach Harendra Singh.
The India men's hockey team started their campaign at the 19th Asian Games with a massive 16-0 win over Uzbekistan.
The Olympic hockey semi-finalists will play two Tests in Chandigarh ahead of the Champions Trophy.
India will next play Pakistan on Tuesday.
India coach Rajinder Singh believes the Asian style of attacking hockey will be the key to success.
Pakistan Hockey Federation has finally got clearance from the government to send its national junior team to Lucknow, India for the FIH Junior World Cup next month. A reliable source in the PHF said that the ministry of inter-provincial coordination has informed the federation that the government has given the NOC for participating in the December 8-18 Junior World Cup. "The PHF officials were anxious about getting the NOC to send its team to India next month as the FIH event is scheduled from December 8 to 18th and it is an important event for the future of Pakistan hockey. But now the ministry has informed the PHF that the government has given the clearance," the source said.
India downed Pakistan in the final of the Men's Hockey5s Asia Cup.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh is excited to resume the rivalry against Pakistan in the most-awaited round-robin match of the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday.
A traditional rivalry will take centre stage when India take on Pakistan in the semi-finals of the Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Dhaka, on Thursday.
Harmanpreet Singh led from the front as he converted two penalty corners to hand unbeaten India a close 2-1 victory over Pakistan.
Former Olympian Islahuddin Siddique will be in charge of the national team till the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday demanded blocking of live telecast of India-Pakistan match during the Asia Cup next month, citing national interest and public sentiment.
Sreejesh took up the role as the head coach of the Junior team following his retirement from the sport after India's bronze medal win against Spain at the Paris Olympics.
India are out of medal contention in the men's hockey tournament despite beating South Africa in their last league match.
The Indian team management on Monday appealed to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) against suspensions imposed on five members of the squad for their role in the ugly showdown with Pakistan players during the tri-nation tournament match in Burnbury, Australia, last week.
After bagging back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, India will start as favourites to defend their ACT title against top hockey playing nations of Asia in the form of China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea and Malaysia.
Former Test opener Ahmed Shehzad also lashed out at the PCB and team the management, describing the defeat a new low for Pakistan cricket.
Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain admitted that India are ahead of his side in terms of preparations.
Pakistan Hockey Federation secretary Rana Mujahid is "frustrated" that the national sport is struggling to lure sponsors due to lack of international success in recent years and felt the scene was much better in India.
Suryakumar fined 30 percent of match fee, India appeal verdict
India are in the final of the men's Junior Eight-nation Invitational hockey tournament, in Bukit Jalil, Malaysia. With still a match to go, against Holland, in the round-robin league, which is being played on the lines of the Champions Trophy, India, unbeaten with 16 points from six matches and atop the table, are assured of a place in the title round.
Over 25 years, societies evolve and tastes change. Cinema absorbs and reflects this transformation. Picking only 25 films from the first quarter of the century is tough.
Talismanic midfielder Sardar Singh will lead an experimental 18-member India hockey team, which will be without as many as seven players including senior goalkeeper and vice-captain P R Sreejesh, in the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia next month.
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.
From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eminent sports personalities, the country was wholesome in its praise for the Indian hockey team after it clinched the Asian Champion Trophy by beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the finals at Kuantan, Malaysia on Sunday. Favourites India prevailed 3-2 over Pakistan to reclaim the trophy and present a perfect Diwali gift to the nation. PM Modi wrote on his twitter handle, "Very proud of our hockey team. Congratulations on winning the Asian Champions Trophy."
Pakistan hockey coach Farhat Khan on Thursday termed India as the 'toughest team on paper' for next month's Asia Cup in Bangladesh.
