~Salima Tete will lead the Indian workforce, whereas Navneet Kaur would be the Vice-Captain~
Bengaluru, seventeenth Could 2024: The Indian Ladies’s Hockey Workforce launched into their journey from Kempegowda Worldwide Airport on Friday morning, sure for Brussels through London, marking the start of their participation within the European section of the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023-24. This leg of the league will unfold in Belgium and England, with Antwerp internet hosting the matches from Could twenty second to Could twenty sixth, and London taking up from June 1st to June ninth.
Throughout this section, India will face Argentina, Belgium, Nice Britain, and Germany twice every. Presently, the workforce occupies the sixth spot on the FIH Hockey Professional League 2023-24 factors desk, having amassed eight factors from eight matches.
Salima Tete, recipient of the esteemed Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Participant of The 12 months 2023 within the Ladies’s class on the sixth Hockey India Annual Awards, will lead the Indian workforce, with midfielder Navneet Kaur serving as her deputy.
Preparations have been intense, with the workforce present process rigorous coaching periods and interesting in a pleasant six-match collection towards South Africa in SAI Bengaluru, which passed off from third to eleventh Could. The preliminary three matches showcased India’s dominance, clinching victories with scores of 1-0, 5-1, and 3-1 respectively. Nonetheless, South Africa mounted a powerful comeback, securing wins within the fourth [2-2 (2-4 SO)] and fifth [1-1 (3-1 SO)] matches. Within the collection’ final recreation, India emerged triumphant with a 4-3 victory within the shootout following a 1-1 tie on the finish of regulation time.
“Because the Captain of the Indian Ladies’s Hockey Workforce, it’s an awesome honour to steer our gifted squad into the European leg of the FIH Hockey Professional League. We’re decided to showcase our greatest performances and make our nation proud on the worldwide stage. The current collection towards South Africa has taught us helpful classes, and we’re desirous to apply them as we face formidable opponents in Europe. With teamwork, dedication, and a preventing spirit, we intention to go away a mark in each match we play,” stated Salima Tete earlier than departing for the FIH Professional League 2023-24.
Navneet Kaur additionally echoed the identical sentiments and stated, “Being appointed because the Vice-Captain is each a privilege and a accountability. Alongside our Captain, Salima Tete, I’m dedicated to supporting and motivating our workforce members to provide their all in each recreation. The current collection towards South Africa showcased our resilience and willpower, and we stock that momentum into the upcoming challenges in Europe. Collectively, we try to attain our collective targets and convey glory to Indian hockey.”
India will tackle Argentina on twenty second Could at 15:45hrs IST of their first match of the European leg of FIH Hockey Professional League 2023-24.