Bengaluru: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team departed from Kempegowda International Airport this Friday morning, heading for Brussels via London to kickstart their participation in the European segment of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24. This leg of the league will take place in Belgium and England, with matches in Antwerp from May 22nd to May 26th, and in London from June 1st to June 9th.
Throughout this phase, the Indian team is scheduled to face Argentina, Belgium, Great Britain, and Germany twice each. Currently, India sits in sixth place on the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 points table, having accumulated eight points from eight matches.
Salima Tete, who recently received the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year 2023 in the Women’s category at the 6th Hockey India Annual Awards, will captain the team. Midfielder Navneet Kaur will serve as her deputy.
The team has been rigorously preparing for this challenging segment, having recently concluded a friendly six-match series against South Africa in SAI Bengaluru from May 3rd to May 11th. India demonstrated their prowess in the first three matches, securing victories with scores of 1-0, 5-1, and 3-1 respectively. However, South Africa fought back, winning the fourth match [2-2 (2-4 SO)] and the fifth [1-1 (3-1 SO)]. The series finale saw India triumph in a 4-3 shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Captain Salima Tete expressed her enthusiasm before embarking on the European leg, stating, “As the Captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, it’s a great honour to lead our talented squad into the European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League. We are determined to showcase our best performances and make our nation proud on the international stage. The recent series against South Africa has taught us valuable lessons, and we are eager to apply them as we face formidable opponents in Europe. With teamwork, dedication, and a fighting spirit, we aim to leave a mark in every match we play.”
Vice-Captain Navneet Kaur echoed similar sentiments, adding, “Being appointed as the Vice-Captain is both a privilege and a responsibility. Alongside our Captain, Salima Tete, I am committed to supporting and motivating our team members to give their all in every game. The recent series against South Africa showcased our resilience and determination, and we carry that momentum into the upcoming challenges in Europe. Together, we strive to achieve our collective goals and bring glory to Indian hockey.”
India will face Argentina on May 22nd at 15:45 IST in their first match of the European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24, embarking on a journey to strengthen their standing and showcase their skills on the global stage.