Sunday, September 8

Hockey

Hockey India Announces 60-Member Squad for Women’s National Camp
Hockey, Sports

Hockey India Announces 60-Member Squad for Women’s National Camp

Hockey India (HI) has announced a comprehensive selection process for the women's national team. A massive 60-member squad will report to a training camp in Bengaluru, aiming to secure a spot in the final 33-member core probables. This extensive approach highlights HI's commitment to talent development and unearthing hidden gems across the country. Fresh Faces and Familiar Names The core group comprises players who impressed at the recently concluded Senior Women's National Championship. This strategy ensures fresh talent is given a fair chance, with seasoned campaigners also present to provide guidance and experience. How Hockey India can Build a Stronger Team! While a large pool allows for in-depth evaluation, a concern might be the management of such a vast group. Here'...
Indian Hockey Team Heads Down Under for Crucial Pre-Olympics Tour
Hockey, Sports

Indian Hockey Team Heads Down Under for Crucial Pre-Olympics Tour

Hockey news: The Indian hockey team, led by coach Craig Fulton, embarks on a critical five-match tour of Australia today. This trip serves as the final stretch of their preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Facing the Challenge Head-On While acknowledging Australia's dominance and past struggles for the Indian team on their soil, Fulton expresses confidence in their current state. He views this tour as an opportunity to test their mettle and identify areas for improvement before the big event. Balancing Reality and Ambition With less than four months until the Olympics, Fulton acknowledges the competition but remains optimistic. He emphasizes the importance of peaking at the right time and stresses the team's focus on continuous improvement. Tokyo's Legacy: Focus...
Hockey India League Announces Thrilling Return in January 2025
Hockey, Sports

Hockey India League Announces Thrilling Return in January 2025

Hockey fans rejoice! The highly anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) is confirmed to return in January 2025. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh revealed the exciting news during the annual awards ceremony. Hockey India League: League Structure and Timeline The upcoming HIL will feature a larger scale compared to previous editions. The men's league will see eight teams battle it out for the championship, while the women's league will showcase competition between six teams. To ensure a fair playing field, all teams will have separate ownership. Player auctions for both leagues will be held after the Paris Olympics, allowing teams to strategically build their rosters. The league will take place within a five-week window provided by the FIH in January, with men's an...
Hardik Singh and Salima Tete Bag Top Honors at Hockey India Awards 2024
Hockey, Sports

Hardik Singh and Salima Tete Bag Top Honors at Hockey India Awards 2024

The 6th Annual Hockey India Awards 2024 celebrated achievements in Indian hockey, recognizing both individual players and national teams. Hardik Singh and Salima Tete emerged as the biggest winners, claiming the prestigious Player of the Year awards for men and women respectively. Hockey India League Set for Thrilling Return in 2025 The ceremony also brought exciting news for hockey fans. Hockey India announced the revival of the much-anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) in January 2025. The five-week tournament will feature eight men's and six women's teams, with auctions planned after the Paris Olympics. Award Highlights A total prize pool of ₹7.56 crore was distributed among deserving players and teams. The 2016 Junior World Cup winning men's team received a specia...
Sreejesh and Caram Lead the FIH Athletes Committee: A New Dawn for Hockey?
Hockey, Sports

Sreejesh and Caram Lead the FIH Athletes Committee: A New Dawn for Hockey?

The International Hockey Federation's (FIH) recent announcement appointing PR Sreejesh, the Indian goalkeeper, and Camila Caram, the Chilean defender, as co-chairs of the newly formed FIH Athletes Committee has sent ripples of excitement through the hockey world. This decision signifies a potential shift towards an "Athletes First" approach, as outlined in the FIH's "Empowerment and Engagement" strategy. But does it truly represent a positive change for hockey? A Voice for the Athletes Traditionally, athletes have often been seen as simply performers within the sporting ecosystem. The FIH Athletes Committee, however, grants them a vital seat at the decision-making table. Sreejesh and Caram, along with the other committee members, will have the power to directly influence FIH po...
11 Types of Hockey You Probably Don’t Know!
Hockey, Sports

11 Types of Hockey You Probably Don’t Know!

Hockey isn't just one sport; it's a thrilling family of games enjoyed worldwide! Its roots stretch far back, with evidence of similar games played on ancient playing fields. Today, this diverse family boasts numerous members, each with unique rules, equipment, and playing surfaces. Let's delve into the world of hockey and explore some of its most popular variations: Types of Hockey Played on Ice 1. Ice Hockey: Arguably the most famous member of the hockey family, ice hockey is a high-octane game played on a frozen rink. Players don ice skates and propel themselves and a vulcanized rubber puck with sticks. The objective? To fire the puck into the opponent's net! Fast-paced and action-packed, ice hockey is particularly popular in North America and Europe, and has been capt...
Hockey India Awards Set for a Grand Night: Sreejesh, Savita, Harmanpreet Among Top Contenders
Hockey, Sports

Hockey India Awards Set for a Grand Night: Sreejesh, Savita, Harmanpreet Among Top Contenders

The excitement is building for the prestigious Hockey India annual awards ceremony, scheduled for March 31st in New Delhi. Hockey India has unveiled the much-anticipated list of nominees, and the competition promises to be fierce across various categories. Veterans Vie for Top Honors Seasoned performers PR Sreejesh (men's) and Savita Punia (women's) find themselves in contention for double honors. Both stalwarts have been nominated for Player of the Year, the most coveted award, as well as Goalkeeper of the Year. Their consistent excellence has been a cornerstone of India's recent success, and they will be looking to add another feather to their decorated caps. Harmanpreet Targets Double Glory Leading the charge for the men's team, skipper Harmanpreet Singh has also garner...
Hockey, Sports

A Mixed Legacy: Janneke Schopman’s Tenure as Indian Women’s Hockey Coach

Janneke Schopman's tenure as head coach of the Indian women's hockey team ended abruptly in February 2024 amidst allegations of gender discrimination by Indian hockey officials. While her resignation cast a shadow over her achievements, Schopman's two-year stint did see some significant successes for the team. Here's a quick look into Janneke Schopman and her legacy. Janneke Schopman - Winning Start and Historic Medal Schopman initially joined the team as an analytical coach in 2020, contributing to their impressive fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, a historic feat for Indian women's hockey. Following this success, she was promoted to head coach and wasted no time in making her mark. Under her leadership, the team secured a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games i...
Indian Hockey Team Gears Up for Olympics with 27-Member Squad for Australia Tour
Hockey, Sports

Indian Hockey Team Gears Up for Olympics with 27-Member Squad for Australia Tour

The Indian men's hockey team, led by drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh, has been announced for a five-match away Test series against Australia. This crucial tour is part of India's preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Key Points 27-member squad features almost the entire core group of probables trained under coach Craig Fulton. Matches will be played in Perth from April 6th to 13th. The tour aims to assess India's strengths and weaknesses before the Olympics. Coach Fulton sees this as an opportunity to test player combinations and finalize a potential Olympic squad. Australia, a strong contender for the Olympic podium, will provide a valuable challenge. Indian Hockey Team Focus on Olympics With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, this tour to Australia h...
Dennis Van De Pol Bolsters Indian Hockey’s Olympic Bid
Hockey, Sports

Dennis Van De Pol Bolsters Indian Hockey’s Olympic Bid

The Indian Men's Hockey Team's quest for a podium finish at the Paris Olympics 2024 has received a significant boost with the return of Dutch goalkeeping coach Dennis Van De Pol. This article delves deeper into Van De Pol's role, the importance of specialized coaching, and Hockey India's commitment to the team's success. Sharpening the Final Line of Defense With the prestigious Olympic Games just months away, Hockey India (HI) recognizes the importance of a strong defensive unit. Van De Pol's ten-day intensive camp at the ongoing national coaching camp in Bhubaneswar is specifically designed to refine the skills of India's top goalkeepers – PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, and Suraj Karkera. This focused training, concluding just before the team's departure for their Australian tour...