Hockey India announces 22-member Indian Junior Women’s Hockey team for Europe tour

~The team will play six matches across three nations from 21st to 29th May~

New Delhi, 6th May 2024: Hockey India on Monday announced the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team that will tour Europe between 21st and 29th May 2024. The team will play six matches across three nations against Belgium, Germany and Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push and Oranje Rood, two club teams in the Netherlands.

The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey team will be playing matches in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to work on their game and push beyond their limits in a bid to go on to dominate the game on the world stage. They will play their first match on 21st May against Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Breda before playing Belgium at the same venue on 22nd May. The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey team will then play Belgium a second time but with the latter playing host on this occasion on 24th May. This will be followed by consecutive games against Germany on 26th May in Breda and 27th May in Germany respectively. They will then return to Breda to play their final game of the tour on 29th May against Oranje Rood.

The team will be led by defender Jyoti Singh while midfielder Sakshi Rana has been named as her deputy. Aditi Maheshwari and Nidhi form the goalkeeping department while Jyoti Singh, Lalthantluangi, Anjali Barwa, Puja Sahoo, Mamita Oram and Nirru Kullu form the defence.

Kshetrimayum Sonia Devi, Rajani Kerketta, Priyanka Yadav, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Sakshi Rana, Anisha Sahu and Supriya Kujur make up the midfield. The forwards named in the squad are Binima Dhan, Hina Bano, Lalrinpuii, Ishika, Sanjana Horo, Sonam and Kanika Siwach.

“There’s great camaraderie in the squad. All of us have gotten to know each other pretty well during the camp. Everyone here is very skilful and talented. It will be fun and a good learning experience playing abroad against other top-quality teams,” said Captain Jyoti Singh.

Vice-Captain Sakshi Rana shared her Captain’s sentiments. She said, “Playing against good teams from other countries helps in developing an understanding of different approaches to the game. An exposure tour like this provides all of us with a tremendous opportunity to take our game to the next level.”

GOALKEEPERS

1. Aditi Maheshwari

2. Nidhi

DEFENDERS

3. Jyoti Singh (C)

4. Lalthantluangi

5. Anjali Barwa

6. Puja Sahoo

7. Mamita Oram

8. NirruKullu

MIDFIELDERS

9. Kshetrimayum Sonia Devi

10. Rajani Kerketta

11. Priyanka Yadav

12. Khaidem Shileima Chanu

13. Sakshi Rana (VC)

14. Anisha Sahu

15. Supriya Kujur

FORWARDS

16. Binima Dhan

17. Hina Bano

18. Lalrinpuii

19. Ishika

20 Sanjana Horo

21. Sonam

22. Kanika Siwach