The Olympic preparations are in full swing and Hockey India have announced the Indian Women’s Hockey team for the quadrennial tournament.
The Indian team looks like a perfect mixture of youngsters and experienced professionals. There is also continuity from the 2016 Rio Olympics which will help the younger players to get accustomed to the big stage. The team has eight experienced players who will look to take the lead as eight youngsters will make their Olympic debut.
Speaking on the team selection, chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “This team has worked very hard over the last few years and has made progress consistently. There’s a good mix of experienced players and new talent, which is excellent. We look forward to taking on the best in the world in Tokyo. This is a team with a lot of potential and drive which we hope to channelize to our best performance yet.”
Rani Rampaul will lead the Indian Women’s team in the Tokyo Olympics. She will be well supported by experienced players like Savita, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Navjot Kaur and Vandana Katariya. These players have registered a total of 1492 caps for the national team and have already represented India at the Rio Olympics. It was the Indian Women’s Hockey team’s first appearance at the Olympics after a gap of 36 years.
This will be the Indian Women’s Hockey team’s third appearance at the Olympics and only their second consecutive appearance at the Summer Games. The Indian team has shown stark improvement in every department of the field. hence they clinched second consecutive qualification to the Olympics. They have shown great quality and development in the qualifying events and hence they are considered as the dark horses of the tournament.
Since their appearance in the 2016 Rio Olympics the team has seen many highs such as winning the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, 2017 Asia Cup, the Silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games and making it to the Quarter Finals of the 2018 Women’s World Cup for the first time in history.
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam congratulated the player for getting selected for the Olympics. He said, “Over the past few years, leading up to this edition of the Olympics, the women’s team has worked very hard to achieve their current form. I am confident that this team will give a tough competition to any opponent. I wish them all the very best for their preparation and performance at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.”
Eight debutants who will make their debut in Tokyo are drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, Salima Tete. The youngster will add energy and panache to this side and will hope to leave an everlasting mark in the tournament.
