BHUBANESWAR 03-Apr-2014 186
Hockey India today announced an 18-member senior women team, including three from Odisha for the FIH Champions Challenge-1 Tournament, scheduled to be played at Glasgow (Scotland) from April 27 to May 4, 2014.
Players were chosen on the basis of selection trials conducted at NSNIS Patiala from March 27. Mid-fielder Ritu Rani will lead the team with Chanchan Devi as vice-captain. Navneet Kaur and Neha Goyal will be making their international debut through this tournament.
The three Odisha players are: defenders Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra and Namita Tappo. Two more Odisha players (mid-fielder Lilima Minz and forward Anupa Barla), who were in the National camp, could not make it to the final team. As many as 31 probables had joined the three-week-long preparatory camp.
The FIH Champions Challenge-1 is scheduled to be held at Glasgow (Scotland) from April 27 to May 4. India are placed in Pool-A with Korea, Belgium and host Scotland while USA, South Africa, Spain and Ireland are placed in Pool-B. The opening match for India is against Korea on April 27. Indian team will depart for Ireland on 10th April 2014 to play a three match test series against their national side for preparations and acclimatization ahead of the Champions Challenge-1.
The FIH Champions Challenge-1 is a crucial tournament for Indian senior women team as they will play for other major events like Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Asian Games in Incheon (Korea) later this year.
TEAM INDIA:
Goalkeepers: Yogita Bali (47 caps), Savita (65 caps).
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (44 caps), Deepika (112 caps), Sunita Lakra (15 caps), Kirandeep Kaur (133 caps), Namita Toppo (32 caps), Monika Malik (9 caps).
Mid-fielders: Sushila Chanu (61 caps), Ritu Rani (165 caps), Lily Chanu (22 caps), Chanchan Devi (97 caps), Soundarya Yendala (87 caps).
Forwards: Anuradha Devi (57 caps), Poonam Rani (99 caps), Vandana Katariya (85 caps), Navneet Kaur (0 caps), Neha Goyal (0 caps).
