The Indian women’s hockey team will leave for the Hockey World League (HWL) Semifinals in Johannesburg later this month hoping to book a spot at next year’s World Cup.
The team had concluded its three-week high altitude, high-intensity camp in Shilaroo.
The team will now train for a week in Delhi prior to its departure with coach Marijne Sjoerd expressing satisfaction with the team’s fitness levels.
“While we put in work in defensive and attacking structure, we have done a lot on fitness and speed. I am happy with the team’s effort because training in high-altitude can be very challenging,” the 43-year-old Dutchman said.
India will be led by seasoned striker Rani Rampal with Sushila Chanu as her deputy. A mix of youth and experience, the team has Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra and Monika in the defence while veteran Ritu Rani will be holding the midfield together. India recently lost 5-0 on its New Zealand tour but coach Sjoerd is confident of a better display from the girls in South Africa with the tournament being a qualifying event for both the HWL Finals later this year and the 2018 World Cup in London.
India is in Pool B which also has Chile and USA besides Argentina. The other pool has Germany, England, Ireland, Japan and Poland. The HWL Semifinals begin on July 8 with India opening its campaign against the host on the same day. The squad: Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu; Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Gurjit Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Monika; Midfielders: Renuka Yadav, Nikki Pradhan, Namita Toppo, Navjot Kaur, Ritu Rani, Lilima Minz; Forwards: Reena Khokhar, Rani Rampal, Vandana Katariya, Anupa Barla, Preeti Dubey .
