The Hockey India has on Friday announced that the India Men and Hockey core probable group based on the SAI center in Bengaluru would be handed a one-month-long break

The women’s core probable group has been camping at the SAI center since February, while the men joined them in early  March following impressive performances against the top three teams in the world. [ Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands ] during the FIH Hockey Pro league early this year.

Decisions have been made that the Men and women’s core probables athletes will return from the break on the 19th of July 2020 to resume their sporting activities as part of their preparations for the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

The athletes kicked off their necessary sporting activities on the 10th of June 2020, With both teams spending the nationwide lockdown in a safe and secured environment of the SAI center.

However, Following further consultations with chief coaches Graham Reid and Sjoerd Marijne, a unanimous decision was made to grant the athletes break for a month.

Hockey India President Ahmad Mushtaque stressed on the significance of the need to refresh the athletes mentally and physically, saying that after much consultation from both coaches, the Hockey India came to an agreed decision that it was highly imperative to give the player a compulsory break.

Ahmad Mushtaque also gave a lot of credit to the coaching staff as well for keeping in check the player’s physical and mental well being following the challenging times caused by the pandemic outbreak, which has forces countries across the globe to stay on a lockdown.

The hockey President also advised the hockey players of both gender teams to continue to maintain the guidelines to remain safe during this period while with their families.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi