NEW DELHI, PTI: Salima Tete was named captain of the 18-member Indian women’s hockey team announced on Monday for the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 20 at the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. Navneet Kaur will serve as Tete’s deputy. India enters the competition with high expectations, having clinched the title at last year’s edition in Ranchi. The team will face stiff competition from five other nations, including reigning Olympic silver-medalists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, in the battle for continental supremacy. India will open their campaign against Malaysia on November 11.Speaking on the team selection and preparation for the tournament, dynamic midfielder Tete said: “It’s an incredible feeling to lead the team into another major tournament, especially as defending champions. We have trained rigorously and have a strong unit with both experienced players and young talent. Our goal is to defend our title and play with the same passion and determination we showed last year.”The squad: Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam. Defenders: Udita, Jyoti, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Ishika Chaudhary. Midfielders: Neha, Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami. Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Preeti Dubey, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung.
NEW DELHI, PTI: Salima Tete was named captain of the 18-member Indian women’s hockey team announced on Monday for the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 20 at the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. Navneet Kaur will serve as Tete’s deputy. India enters the competition with high expectations, having clinched the title at last year’s edition in Ranchi. The team will face stiff competition from five other nations, including reigning Olympic silver-medalists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, in the battle for continental supremacy. India will open their campaign against Malaysia on November 11.Speaking on the team selection and preparation for the tournament, dynamic midfielder Tete said: “It’s an incredible feeling to lead the team into another major tournament, especially as defending champions. We have trained rigorously and have a strong unit with both experienced players and young talent. Our goal is to defend our title and play with the same passion and determination we showed last year.”The squad: Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam. Defenders: Udita, Jyoti, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Ishika Chaudhary. Midfielders: Neha, Salima Tete, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami. Forwards: Navneet Kaur, Preeti Dubey, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Beauty Dungdung.
