The India women's hockey team plans to outpace its opponents during the Olympic qualifying tournament, which begins at the National Stadium from February 18.
Sahara India Pariwar on Wednesday renewed its sponsorship of the Indian men and women hockey teams, both senior and junior, for five years for an annual sum of Rs 8.5 crore.
Eighteen years ago, a train journey from Siliguri to Patna that Bharat Chhetri reluctantly undertook, fashioned his destiny. That trip also gave India its current hockey skipper.
Sahara India Group today renewed its ties with Indian hockey by signing a five-year deal to sponsor the national men's and women's teams, besides announcing a sponsorship amount that is 170% higher than the sum in the previous contract.
Hockey fans gearing up to enjoy the Olympic Qualifiers from February 18-26 at the National Stadium should also prepare to enhance their own endurance.
A bonanza awaits country's top hockey players. According to Hockey India (HI) secretary general Narinder Batra, those donning the national colours - including junior level - would be up for financial assistance from the federation.
Weak legs and decreasing stride length was the first thing Michael Nobbs noted soon after taking over as coach of the men's hockey team in September.
Navneet Singh reports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hockey India has selected 32 probables for the next national Olympic preparatory camp to be held in New Delhi from February 1.
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.
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.