The 20-member Indian women's hockey team for the upcoming FIH Women's Nations Cup, which will be staged for the first time in 2022, was announced on Wednesday by Hockey India. The FIH Women's Nations Cup is a crucial event on the international calendar since it implements a promotion-relegation system, where the winners advance to the 2023–2024 FIH Hockey Women's Pro League.
The first Women's Nations Cup will take place from December 10 to December 17 in Valencia, Spain. In pool B, India is grouped with South Africa, Canada, and Japan. Ireland, Italy, Korea, and Spain, who are grouped in pool A, are the other participating teams.
Savita has been named the tournament's captain, and Deep Grace Ekka has been named the vice-captain. Beauty Dungdung, a young attacker, will make her international debut at the FIH Nations Cup, and Navjot Kaur, an accomplished midfielder, will rejoin the team after missing the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 due to a positive Covid 19 test.
In addition to Savita, the team has Bichu Devi Kharibam as the goalie, while Deep Grace will have the support of Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, and Ishika Chaudhary as defenders.
Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Kharibam, Monika, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, and Navjot Kaur will make up the midfield, while the seasoned Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, and Beauty Dungdung will form the attacking line.
The Indian women's team made its debut in the 2021–22 FIH Pro League after winning the bronze medal at the recent Commonwealth Games. India had a strong campaign in their debut, coming in third place behind Argentina and the Netherlands. For the team to compete in the FIH Pro League for the second time in 2023–2024, they must win the Nations Cup.
Janneke Schopman, the team's head coach, expressed satisfaction with the entire playing group's performance during this camp. The group is fiercely competitive, and our level is rising. Choosing 20 players was challenging, but I am confident that this group will perform well and demonstrate the progress we have made.
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