Bengaluru: The Indian men’s hockey team embarked on their journey to Switzerland on Monday, marking the beginning of their final preparation phase ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. After a short stint in Switzerland aimed at building mental toughness, the team will move to the Netherlands for a series of practice matches. This rigorous training block will culminate in their arrival in Paris on July 20.
“We just completed a gruelling two-week camp at SAI, Bengaluru. After a short detour in Switzerland with Mike Horn, known for his extreme adventures that conquer fears, the team will play practice matches against the Netherlands and Malaysia. This is to ensure we are in the best state of mind and body before our Olympic journey begins,” said team captain Harmanpreet Singh before departure. “The team is in high spirits and looking forward to the final block of training.”
India will commence their Olympic campaign in Pool B with a match against New Zealand on July 27, followed by matches against Argentina on July 29, Ireland on July 30, Belgium on August 1, and concluding the group stage against Australia on August 2. A top-four finish will secure India’s advancement to the knockout stages.
Vice-captain Hardik Singh expressed confidence in the team’s preparation, stating, “We identified areas needing improvement from the London and Antwerp stages of the FIH Pro League 2023/24 and worked on them in the Bengaluru training camp. The best teams in the world will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, but this squad is ready to seize the opportunity and bring glory to India. We are confident in our abilities and excited about the journey ahead.”
India’s rich history in hockey includes 12 Olympic medals: 8 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze. The team aims to add to this legacy in Paris.
Indian men’s hockey team for the Paris 2024 Olympics:
Goalkeeper:
- Sreejesh P.R
Defenders:
- Jarmanpreet Singh
- Amit Rohidas
- Harmanpreet Singh
- Sumit
- Sanjay
Midfielders:
- Rajkumar Pal
- Shamsher Singh
- Manpreet Singh
- Hardik Singh
- Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards:
- Abhishek
- Sukhjeet Singh
- Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
- Mandeep Singh
- Gurjant Singh
Reserve players:
- Nilakanta Sharma
- Jugraj Singh
- Krishan Bahadur Pathak
As the team departs for their final preparation phase, the nation holds high hopes for a stellar performance in the upcoming Olympics.