Bhubaneswar: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team landed at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Sunday, marking the beginning of their campaign in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24. The seasoned custodian Savita will continue to lead the team as Captain, with Vandana Katariya serving as her deputy.
Scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from February 3rd to 9th, the FIH Hockey Pro League will then move to the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, where the league will continue from February 12th to 18th. The participating teams in the India leg include India, China, the United States of America, the Netherlands, and Australia.
India’s opening match on February 3rd will be against reigning Asian Games Champions China, followed by a clash with the Netherlands on February 4th. The team will face Australia on February 7th and play their last game in Bhubaneswar against the United States on February 9th.
This marks India’s second appearance in the FIH Hockey Pro League, with their debut during the 2021/22 season, where they finished third. Last year, India secured their spot in the FIH Pro League 2023/24 by defeating Spain 1-0 in the Final of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup Spain 2022.
Chief Coach Janneke Schopman emphasized the significance of the FIH Hockey Pro League, stating, “The FIH Pro League will be a great platform for some of the youngsters in the squad to acquaint themselves with the demands of international hockey and further hone their skills. This season we will also have the chance to secure qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, so the team is prepared to give it their all from the first match.”