Hockey India announces 34-member Women's Core team

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 27 December 2023

A 34-player core probable group has been announced by Hockey India for the Senior Women's National Coaching Camp, which is set to begin on December 27, 2023, at the SAI Center in Bengaluru. The camp is a crucial part of the Indian women's hockey team's preparations for the highly anticipated FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2024 and the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024, which are scheduled to take place from January 13–19, 2024. India is grouped in Pool B with the United States, New Zealand, and Italy. Germany, Japan, Chile, and the Czech Republic are in Pool A.

Indian Women's Hockey Team will return to camp after the Spain excursion, facing Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Spain in the 5-nation tournament. The Indian team is now preparing for the Olympic qualifiers and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Chief Coach Janneke Schopman of the Indian Women's Hockey Team stated, "The team will return to Ranchi after a dominant performance at the Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023, where they were crowned Champions last month. To qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics."

Goalkeepers Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki make up the core group. The defenders are made up of Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary. The midfielders are Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljeet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, and Ajmina Kujur. The forwards are made up of Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, and Beauty Dungdung.