Bhubaneswar: The Indian women’s hockey team, having missed qualification for the Paris Olympic Games, is set to redeem itself during the first cluster of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 at the Kalinga Stadium, starting February 3.
Arriving at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, the squad is led by the seasoned custodian Savita as captain, with forward Vandana Katariya serving as her deputy after recovering from an injury.
The FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 (Women) is scheduled at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from February 3 to 9, followed by the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela from February 12 to 18.
In addition to India, China, the United States of America, the Netherlands, and Australia will participate, facing each other in both Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
India’s campaign begins against Asian Games champions China on February 3, followed by a clash with the Netherlands on February 4. They will face Australia on February 7 before concluding their matches in Bhubaneswar against the United States on February 9.
This marks the women’s team’s second appearance in the FIH Hockey Pro League, with their debut during the 2021/22 season, where they finished third. Securing a spot in the FIH Pro League 2023/24, India defeated Spain 1-0 in the final of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup Spain 2022 last year.
Emphasizing the significance of the FIH Hockey Pro League, chief coach Janneke Schopman said, “The team is prepared to give it their all from the first match and use this opportunity to test themselves against some of the best teams in the world. This season we will also have the chance to secure qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.”
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