The Indian Women’s Hockey Federation (IWHF) on Sunday selected those players for the junior and senior women's national squads who did not attend the two-day trials at Bangalore while ignored those who did.
An 18-member senior squad for a Test series in Argentina and another 16-member junior team for the four-nation meet in Australia were selected on Sunday.
The federation selected Amubi, Ritu Rani, Monkia and Sulochana for the junior squad despite the fact that all four of them did not attend the trials.
It is learnt that only 31 girls attended the trials on the first day — 16 juniors and 18 seniors. The IWHF, later, selectively called a couple of players and announced the squad.
In the process, the federation has also ignored the recommendation of chief coach MK Kaushik, who had asked for the 22 players shortlisted for last month's Asia Cup to be called for the camp. According to sources, IWHF invited only 14 of those 22, presumably to avoid Navneet Kaur. Incidentally, Monika had not attended the camp for the Asia Cup either.
Government observer Rupa Saini said, "We have picked the best available team. Those who were absent from the trials were included on the basis of their past performances."
{{/usCountry}}Government observer Rupa Saini said, "We have picked the best available team. Those who were absent from the trials were included on the basis of their past performances."
{{/usCountry}}"Moreover Rani is playing in the All India Inter-University Championship and she had informed the federation about it. Other girls couldn't reach Bangalore because of the cancellation of the flight due to fog," she claimed. But why didn't the IWHF inform the girls well in advance is the moot question?