New Delhi: With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team is set to embark on a crucial preparatory tour in Cape Town, South Africa. The tour, scheduled between 22nd January and 28th January, will see India facing formidable opponents, including World No. 9 France, World No. 13 South Africa, and the top-ranked Netherlands.
Led by Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vice-Captain Hardik Singh, the Indian team is gearing up for two encounters against France on 22nd January and 24th January. Subsequently, they will take on the hosts South Africa on 26th January, concluding the tour with a match against the Netherlands on 28th January.
Highlighting the significance of the South Africa tour, Captain Harmanpreet Singh emphasized the need for substantial game time as the team prepares for the upcoming FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League 2023/24 matches and the Paris Olympics 2024. Singh stated, “It is crucial for our team to get as much game time as we can so that we are in the correct mindset for the coming season.”
After participating in the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023 in December, where India secured a victory against France but faced defeats against Spain, Belgium, and Germany, the team is eager to fine-tune their strategies. Vice-Captain Hardik Singh expressed the team’s commitment to improvement, stating, “We will look to play the style of hockey that we want to play on the tour so that we can work on the aspects of the game that we need to rectify in the coming months.”
The Indian Team, with a 26-member squad, includes promising youngsters Araijeet Singh Hundal and Boby Singh Dhami, showcasing a blend of experience and young talent. Vice-Captain Hardik Singh sees the tour as an opportunity to test the team’s bench strength before the FIH Men’s Hockey Pro League next month. The team is focused on positive results and aims to gain valuable experience to face formidable opponents in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The South African tour is not only a test of skills but also a chance for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team to study and learn from potential Olympic contenders. Vice-Captain Hardik Singh underlines the competitiveness in world hockey and emphasizes that no team can be taken lightly. The team is poised to approach the tour with a positive mindset and showcase their capabilities on the field.
The opening match of the South African tour for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team against France is scheduled for 22nd January at 14:30 IST.
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