~ Harmanpreet will proceed to steer the staff, whereas Hardik will function his deputy in Paris ~
New Delhi, twenty sixth June 2024: Hockey India on Wednesday introduced the a lot anticipated 16-member Indian Males’s Hockey Staff that may compete for the highest honours on the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled from twenty sixth July to eleventh August 2024. With 5 Olympic debutants within the squad, the staff is infused with a contemporary method, pushed by intense coaching and preparation on the ongoing nationwide camp on the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.
The Indian Males’s Hockey Staff will proceed to be led by ace drag-flicker and defender Harmanpreet Singh, with highly effective midfielder Hardik Singh because the Vice-Captain. Harmanpreet is ready to play in his third Olympics, having debuted because the youngest member of the Indian squad on the 2016 Rio Olympics and subsequently contributing to the Bronze medal win on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The squad additionally options veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and midfielder Manpreet Singh, each of whom can be making their fourth Olympic look. The defence line contains Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, and Sanjay, whereas the midfield will see the contributions of Raj Kumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad. The ahead line boasts formidable gamers akin to Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, and Gurjant Singh.
Moreover, goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, and defender Jugraj Singh have been named as alternate athletes.
Intriguingly, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Raj Kumar Pal, Abhishek, and Sukhjeet Singh are the 5 gamers who’re set to make their Olympic debut in Paris.
Talking on the staff choice, Chief Coach Craig Fulton mentioned, “The choice course of for the Paris Olympics’ squad was extremely aggressive because of the depth of expertise inside our ranks, nevertheless, I’m assured that each participant chosen will convey their finest to Paris. Every participant chosen has demonstrated distinctive talent, dedication, and resilience all through our rigorous preparation section. Our journey has been marked by unwavering dedication to excellence and a collective drive to raise Indian hockey on the world stage.”
He added, “This squad embodies an ideal mix of skilled gamers and promising younger skills, giving us the flexibility and power required to sort out the challenges forward. Our focus has been on constructing a cohesive staff that may adapt to completely different taking part in kinds and conditions, and I imagine we’ve got achieved that.”
“As we head to Paris, our purpose is evident – to play with coronary heart, talent, and willpower. We’re ready to face the world’s finest groups and attempt for the best podium. This squad is able to seize the chance and convey glory to India. We’re assured in our skills and excited concerning the journey forward.”
Speaking concerning the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, India are positioned in Pool B alongside defending Champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Eire. To advance to the Quarter-Finals, the staff should safe a top-four end of their pool.
Pool A includes the Netherlands, Germany, Nice Britain, Spain, South Africa, and host nation France, setting the stage for a extremely aggressive 12-team males’s hockey event on the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Indian Males’s Hockey Staff will kick off their marketing campaign on twenty seventh July in opposition to New Zealand, adopted by a match in opposition to Argentina on twenty ninth July. They’ll then face Eire and Belgium on thirtieth July and 1st August, respectively, with their closing group stage recreation in opposition to Australia on 2nd August.
It’s price mentioning that the Indian Males’s Hockey Staff has a wealthy Olympic historical past, having secured a formidable 12 Olympic medals, together with 8 Gold, 1 Silver, and three Bronze medals, therefore, the Harmanpreet-led staff can be aiming so as to add one other medal to the tally.
Indian Males’s Hockey Staff for Paris 2024 Olympics:
Goalkeepers:
1. Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran
Defenders:
2. Jarmanpreet Singh
3. Amit Rohidas
4. Harmanpreet Singh
5. Sumit
Midfielders:
7. Rajkumar Pal
8. Shamsher Singh
9. Manpreet Singh
10. Hardik Singh
11. Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards:
12. Abhishek
13. Sukhjeet Singh
14. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay
15. Mandeep Singh
16. Gurjant Singh
Alternate Athletes:
17. Nilakanta Sharma
18. Jugraj Singh
19. Krishan Bahadur Pathak