Hockey skipper Ritu Rani not in Rio squad: Sources

NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s hockey was thrown into turmoil on Saturday ahead of the squad announcement for the Rio Olympics following reports that skipper Ritu

NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s hockey was thrown into turmoil on Saturday ahead of the squad announcement for the Rio Olympics following reports that skipper Ritu Rani has been axed.

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The Indian women have qualified for the Olympics for the first time, but will head to Brazil amidst controversy. Ritu Rani, the national skipper for many occasions, was a key member of the side which had achieved qualification.

However, it is learnt she has not found place in the final squad with indiscipline and lack of fitness cited as the reasons. Ritu’s name is missing from among the 20 players shortlisted, said a player from Bengaluru where the camp is concluded on Saturday.

The selected players are due to reach Delhi on Sunday, but Ritu has reportedly packed her bags and headed home to Shahabad, Haryana. Ritu led the team to a fifth place finish at last year’s Hockey World League Semifinals at Belgium. That performance was mainly responsible for earning the Rio berth.

The news of Ritu being axed, just four days before the team is officially announced, is bound to raise concerns among the players.

Hockey India (HI) president Narinder Batra termed the reports as speculation. He said: “I am not aware of such a thing happening because the team is yet to be announced. We have a procedure to officially announce the team, which will be done on Tuesday. If some people are predicting, I would not comment on that.”

In the absence of the 24-year-old midfielder, another senior player, Rani Rampal, is expected to be named skipper for Rio.

When asked about Ritu leaving for home, Batra said players normally go home after the camp is over.

HI will also announce the men’s team on Tuesday.