Aim is beyond World Cup gold: Khandker

The junior Indian women’s hockey team will be aiming beyond winning the gold medal in the upcoming FIH Junior Hockey World Cup, and the aim will be to shape the next generation of players. As the Indian team prepares for the Junior Hockey World Cup, scheduled in Santiago (Chile) from December 1 to 13, coach Tushar Khandker believes that the squad is prepared for giving their best.

“As with any World Cup, the level of competition will be intense, and every match will demand our absolute best. But the way we have trained over the past months gives me great confidence. The players are in strong form, and as a group, we are prepared to take on the challenges that lie ahead,” said Khandker.

When asked about the team’s aim, the coach added: “Winning a medal at a World Cup is always the ultimate dream for any team. But at the junior level, our responsibility goes beyond podium finishes. It’s equally important to see how many of these players can graduate to the senior setup. This tournament is both a platform for excellence and a stepping stone in shaping the next generation of Indian hockey.”

India have been drawn in Pool C alongside Germany, Ireland, and Namibia. The team will open its campaign against Namibia on December 1, followed by matches against Germany on December 3 and Ireland on December 5. The top team from each pool will progress to the knockout stages, scheduled from December 7 to 13.

While talking about the challenges the team is facing, and strategy of clearing the league stage, especially the match against Germany, the former international and Olympian said that the Indian girls are eyeing victory against all teams.

“In a World Cup, no opponent can be taken lightly, every team is well prepared and hungry to perform. We cannot focus on just one country. Germany is undoubtedly one of the world’s strongest hockey nations, but Ireland and Namibia also bring their own strengths. Our approach will be to take it match by match, respect all three opponents, and focus on executing our plans,” he said.

In the 34-year-old history of the tournament, the Indian team has finished among the top-4 twice, while claiming third position in 2013 by defeating England. In 2022, the side faced the same opponents but ended fourth.

“The expectations are natural because the teams in 2013 and 2022 set a strong benchmark. But the girls see that not as pressure, but as motivation. Knowing that India has performed well in the past inspires them to push harder and aim higher,” the coach said.

As per Khandker, who himself represented the nation at the highest level, India has become one of the most competitive hockey nations, and with that comes both the advantage and challenge of abundant talent.

“Selecting the best from a large pool is never easy, but that is what ultimately strengthens a team. The overall standard in women’s hockey is rising, and quality players are emerging from across the country. I began with a group of 41 highly talented girls, skilled, energetic and eager to improve and play for the nation. I honestly don’t see any real difference (in men’s and women’s hockey). Both train with equal intensity, commitment and ambition. The desire to win for the country is the same, and both teams put in the hard work required to achieve success at the highest level,” he said.

“It is encouraging to see the depth growing across multiple regions. Our progress is a direct outcome of the strong support system around this team. I would like to thank Hockey India, SAI, and Anandana – The Coca-Cola India Foundation for consistently investing in the development of these young players. The exposure tours, competitive matches, and high-performance training environments they have provided have helped the girls grow rapidly – both technically and mentally,” he said.