Men’s hockey coach, Michael Nobbs, is confident of winning a ticket to London in the forthcoming Olympic qualification tournament, which begins at the National Stadium from February 18.
Former skipper Rajpal Singh failed to find a place in the squad while Arjun Halappa was included as standby for the Olympic Qualifiers starting in New Delhi on Feb 18.
It's no more rice pudding or chocolate cookies for India's best two defenders, Sandeep Singh and V Raghunath, at the national hockey camp being held here ahead of the Olympics qualifying event starting on February 18.
The main turf of the Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium that was re-laid to host the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in 2010, has started showing alarming signs of wear and tear. The main concern is the area inside the striking circle around one of the goalposts. Navneet Singh reports.
Hockey India has selected 32 probables for the next national Olympic preparatory camp to be held in New Delhi from February 1.
India coach, Michael Nobbs, wore a big smile on Sunday. His boys had played to a game-plan and surprised South Africa in the fifth and final test. Down 0-3, India stuck to their strategy, and it helped them make a dramatic comeback to finish 3-3 at the National Stadium.
The ongoing five-match hockey series between India and South Africa has proved more beneficial for the latter.
India defeated South Africa 4-3 in the fourth Test on Friday at the National Stadium, to lead the five-match series 3-1. But the score-line in the matches played so far hasn't been convincing enough to warm the hearts of the hockey fans, waiting anxiously to see India qualify for the London Olympics.
India won 2-1 against South Africa in the second match of the five-test series, but chief national coach, Michael Nobbs, struggled to find the right combination at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
Thursday is a crucial day for the women probables, who are in the Capital for the national camp and hockey series against Azerbaijan. Navneet Singh reports.
National women's coach, CR Kumar, wore a happy look after India beat Azerbaijan 2-0 in the final match of the four-test series.
By virtue of this win, India now leads the five-Test series 2-0. The home team had yesterday defeated South Africa 4-0 in the series opener.
For the second successive year, Sardar Singh has been picked in the World All Star team named by the world hockey body FIH on Friday. The midfielder is the lone Indian in the 18-member squad selected from the world over. Last year too, he was the only representative from the country. HT reports.
The countdown to the Olympic Qualifiers, scheduled in the Capital from February 18, has begun, but the women's hockey coach, CR Kumar, is yet to find 18 fit players from a pool 45 probables who would carry the country's hopes.
The women’s chief national hockey coach, CR Kumar, on Saturday said the four-match series against Azerbaijan beginning on Sunday, will give the players an opportunity to show their mettle and also impress the selectors, who would be short-listing names for the Olympic Qualifiers to be held here from February 18. HT reports.