Hockey India has unveiled a formidable 39-member core group for the upcoming Men’s National Coaching Camp, set to kick off on January 3, 2024, at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Bengaluru. The concise 11-day camp is strategically scheduled before the team embarks on their journey to Cape Town, South Africa, where they are slated to participate in a 4 Nation Tournament. This tournament will feature challenging matches against formidable opponents like France, the Netherlands, and the hosts, South Africa.
The South Africa tour serves as a crucial test event in the team’s preparation for the Paris Olympic Games, offering valuable exposure to the players. Additionally, it aligns with India’s preparations for the FIH Hockey Pro League campaign opener scheduled in Odisha this February. In this league, India is set to face off against tough competitors like Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland in intense double-header games.
The 39-member core-probable group comprises skilled players across different positions
Goalkeepers: Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, Suraj Karkera, Pawan, and Prashant Kumar Chauhan.
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas, Gurinder Singh, Jugraj Singh, Mandeep Mor, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sanjay, Yashdeep Siwach, Dipsan Tirkey, Manjeet.
Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Sumit, Akashdeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Mohd. Raheel Mouseen, Maninder Singh.
Forwards: S. Karthi, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, and Pawan Rajbhar.
Craig Fulton, the Chief Coach of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team, expressed his optimism about the upcoming camp, stating, “I believe the players are returning fresh from a good break with their families for the holiday season. We begin the hockey season for the year with the South Africa Tour, and from here on, it will only get busier with regular games leading up to the Paris Olympics.” He emphasized the team’s focus on improvement and their eagerness to kickstart the season on a positive note.