Eight veteran players have been named in the squad, while eight new players have been given the opportunity to make their Olympic debut for India.
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Hockey India on Thursday has announced the final list of players selected to represent the Indian women’s hockey team at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics which starts on July 23. Eight veteran players have been named in the squad, while eight new players have been given the opportunity to make their Olympic debut for India. The players who competed in the Rio 2016 were Rani Rampal, goalkeeper Savita Punia, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Navjot Kaur, and Vandana Katariya.
It was the first time an Indian women’s hockey team had competed at the Olympics in 36 years. This will be the Indian women’s hockey team’s third appearance at the Olympics and their second successive outing, with the previous appearances coming in 1980 and 2016. These eight players have a combined total of 1,492 India caps and will be tasked with leading the charge for the national team in their quest for Olympic glory.
Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne believes the squad has a proper mix of experienced players and newcomers. “This team has worked very hard over the last few years and has made progress consistently,” he said. “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 channelise to our best performance yet.”
The Indian women’s hockey team has rapidly improved in recent years, clinching Olympic qualification for the second time in a row. Since the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the team has achieved highs such as winning the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, the 2017 Asia Cup, and a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games. They also reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 Women’s World Cup for the first time in history.
Meanwhile, Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam 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 Olympic Games 2020.”
Drag flicker Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami – the first player hailing from Mizoram in the team – and Salima Tete are among the eight Olympic debutants. Notably, Tete led the Indian team to a silver medal finish at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires.
The squad continues its preparations at the SAI Centre Bengaluru, with the games taking place in Tokyo from July 23 to August 6. India are in Group A, which also includes Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, and South Africa. On July 24, they will play the Netherlands in the opening match.
Goalkeeper: Savita
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Nikki Pradhan, Gurjit Kaur, Udita
Midfielders: Nisha, Neha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Navjot Kaur, Salima Tete
Forwards: Rani, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi
