8 Oly first-timers in women’s hockey squad

Bengaluru, June 17

India today named eight Olympics debutants and as many veterans in its 16-member women’s hockey squad for the Tokyo Games scheduled for July 23 to August 8. The squad is a perfect mix of youth and experience and includes as many as eight players who had represented India at the 2016 Olympics. The team will be captained by star striker Rani Rampal.

Nine players from Haryana

Hisar: Nine players from Haryana, including captain Rani Rampal and vice-captain Savita Punia, were today named in the 16-member Indian women’s hockey squad for the Tokyo Olympics. Rani, Navneet Kaur and Navjot Kaur are from Shahbad. Savita, Sharmila Devi and Udita are from Hisar. Monika, Nisha and Neha hail from Sonepat district. Pritam Siwach, former Indian captain who coaches in Sonepat, said that it was a proud moment for the state. “I think the team has the potential to bag a medal for the country,” Siwach said. Deepender Deswal

16-member squad

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Savita (goalkeeper), Deep Grace Ekka, Nikki Pradhan, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Sushila Chanu, Monika, Navjot Kaur, Salima Tete, Rani Rampal, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi

The eight debutants include Punjab drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, the first player hailing from Mizoram in the team, and Salima Tete. Tete had led the Indian team at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires to a silver medal performance.

The selected squad has just one goalkeeper in Savita. This will be the Indian women’s hockey team’s third appearance at the Olympic Games and their second consecutive outing, with previous appearances coming in 1980 and 2016. — PTI