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Gold medal in Los Angeles Olympics is our target: India hockey forward Abhishek Nain

August 19, 2024, 5:03 am

No one would have imagined that Abhishek Nain, who was never included in the junior hockey team, would one day score a goal against Belgium, that too in the Paris Olympics. Nain scored a goal against Australia, which was disallowed, but he has emerged as an outstanding forward. This is an example that victory is possible with perseverance. In an exclusive interview, Nain said it’s a significant achievement that India won medals in consecutive Olympics for the first time since 1984.

Q: Despite being rejected from the national camp, how did you manage to prepare for international levels on your own when you were not even a member of the national team.

A: My friend Vivek Sagar, who was with me in juniors, used to send me the camp schedules. While I was practising at PNB in the morning, he would send me the schedule for gym or running in the evening. I used to follow that schedule and practise as if I were in the camp.

Q: You must have seen Vivek Sagar Prasad in the midfield during the Olympics. He is from Madhya Pradesh, and you are from Haryana. We are currently at your house in Sonipat. I just wanted to know how you didn’t lose hope and continued to practise even though you were not in the camp.

A: Initially, when I was removed from the camp, it was quite difficult for me to go to PNB daily at 5 am for practice. It was a bit irritating, but I thought that my dream of playing in the Olympics and winning a medal would not be achieved unless I put in extra effort. So, I continued to work with all my passion and kept believing that it would happen one day.

After a year, my name appeared in the list of 60 players for the camp. I initially thought getting into the 33-player group would be a big achievement, but eventually, I made it to the team because the coach liked my game. I never imagined I would consistently stay in the team and become a Commonwealth and Asian Games medalist and score in the Olympics.

Q: You have worked with both Craig Fulton and Neil Briggs. What differences did you find in their coaching styles?

A: Craig Fulton’s approach is more structured with a focus on tactical work and defense. He emphasizes counter-attacks and tight defense.

On the other hand, Neil Briggs focused more on counter-attacks and variations inside the D. Fulton’s style involves a lot of tactical work, which is why sometimes we play from behind or deeper in midfield.

Q: When you scored against Belgium, we saw you turn and score in a unique way. It was unusual in Indian hockey. Was this a new technique from Fulton?

A: Fulton emphasised practising backhand shots and playing the ball between our feet. I had already missed a few goals in the previous matches, which created some doubt, but scoring that goal increased my confidence. Even though the goal against Australia was disallowed, which I didn’t understand, it still gave me confidence for future matches.

Q: It seems that having multiple drag-flickers would be beneficial. What do you think?

A: Absolutely. Having multiple drag-flickers like Harmanpreet would be ideal. Although Harmanpreet is trusted because he has proven himself in every tournament, having others trained in drag-flicking would be helpful.

Q: How will the team cope with the absence of Harmanpreet Singh in upcoming matches?

A: Harmanpreet will be greatly missed. He was a legend both on and off the field. His experience, support, and handling of pressure situations were unmatched. We hope someone will step up to fill his shoes.

Q: Stress is a major issue for athletes. How do you manage it?

A: Stress is indeed significant, but our team environment supports us. If someone is under pressure, we boost each other’s morale. Our senior players share their experience, and there is no criticism among team members.

Q: What was the experience like with Paddy Upton and the Alps before the tournament?

A: It was an extraordinary experience. It made us feel like we could handle anything. The training in Switzerland helped us handle pressure and stress better, which benefited us during the tournament.

Q: How do you create a light-hearted atmosphere in the team?

A: The atmosphere is like a family. We don’t criticize each other. Everyone jokes around, including seniors. The most humorous player is Jugraj Singh, who is always telling jokes.

Q: How do you and the team deal with fun moments and light-heartedness?

A: We enjoy Punjabi and Hindi songs, and there is a lot of fun and laughter. Although I am a bit serious, I also enjoy the light-hearted moments with the team.

Q: We hope that India will achieve its goal of winning a gold medal in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. Despite not winning the gold this time, it’s a significant achievement that India won medals in consecutive Olympics for the first time since 1984.

A: Thank you, sir. We hope to continue making the country proud and win gold in the future.

PM Modi to Receive a Signed Hockey Stick by Indian Hockey Team During Meet

August 15, 2024, 2:04 pm

On August 15, the Indian men’s hockey team will present a signed hockey stick to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting. In a video shared by news agency PTI, several team members, including Jarmanpreet Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Sreejesh, and Hardik Singh, are seen signing a white stick with a black marker.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi meets the Indian contingent that participated in #ParisOlympics2024, at his residence. pic.twitter.com/XEIs5tHrrI

— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2024

Earlier in the day, Modi praised Indian athletes for their performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where India won six medals: a silver and five bronze in athletics, shooting, hockey, and wrestling. The Indian hockey team matched their Tokyo Olympics success by securing a bronze in Paris, and Neeraj Chopra became the most successful individual Olympian after winning a silver in men’s javelin throw.

In his Independence Day address, Modi extended congratulations to the athletes and expressed his best wishes to the Indian Paralympic team set to compete in Paris. He also emphasized India’s commitment to hosting the Olympics in 2036, stating, “It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics; we are making preparations for that.”

Punjab Government Awards ₹1 Crore to Olympic Hockey Bronze Team

August 9, 2024, 3:22 pm

The Punjab government has announced a cash reward of ₹1 crore each for the state’s players who were part of the Indian hockey team that secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who lauded the players’ exceptional performance.

The Indian hockey team earned the bronze by defeating Spain 2-1, a victory that has been celebrated across the country. In recognition of this achievement, Chief Minister Mann declared that each player from Punjab who contributed to this historic win would receive a ₹1 crore reward.

Among the team members, 10 players hail from Punjab, including the captain, Harmanpreet Singh, who scored 10 goals during the Olympics. These players will be honored according to the state’s policy for rewarding sporting excellence.

This achievement marks the second consecutive Olympic medal for the Indian hockey team, following their success at the Tokyo Olympics. The last time India secured consecutive Olympic medals in hockey was in 1968 and 1972.

Chief Minister Mann emphasized that this victory not only brings pride to the nation but also revives the glory of hockey as India’s national sport. He added that the triumph over Spain will be remembered as a golden chapter in the history of Indian sports, upholding the proud legacy of the country’s legendary hockey players.

‘Chak De India’: Indian Hockey Team Groove to the Beats After Historic Bronze Win at Paris Olympics

August 8, 2024, 10:04 pm

The Indian hockey team erupted in euphoric celebrations in their dressing room after securing a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The players, having showcased their indomitable spirit and unrelenting determination on the field, let their emotions flow freely as they revelled in the glory of their remarkable achievement.

The atmosphere in the dressing room was electric, filled with laughter, cheers, and triumphant shouts. The team danced with unbridled joy, celebrating their hard-fought victory and etching their names in the annals of Indian hockey history with their stellar performance on the global stage.

Celebration ??
Chak de India
Hockey bronze sreejesh paris olympic pic.twitter.com/R29X1ZS3Ir

— suresh (@SURESHGOHIL_9) August 8, 2024

India, who have previously won eight gold medals, secured their 13th men’s Olympic hockey medal with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Spain in the bronze medal match on Thursday. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice from penalty corners, overturning Marc Miralles’ opener for Spain at the Yves du Manoir Stadium in Colombes, northwest of Paris. This win marks India’s fourth bronze medal and their second consecutive bronze following the Tokyo Olympics. Their tally also includes eight gold medals, the most recent in 1980, and three silvers.

India had previously won seven of their last ten encounters with three-time champions Spain, but after a tense first half, they found themselves trailing when Miralles fired an 18th-minute penalty stroke past the ‘Wall of India,’ PR Sreejesh, who was playing his 336th and final international match.

“Feat That Will Be Cherished for Generations to Come”: PM Modi Congratulates Indian Hockey Team

August 8, 2024, 8:08 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian hockey team for their outstanding achievement of securing their second consecutive bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In a heartfelt post on X, Modi lauded the team’s performance, describing it as a “feat that will be cherished for generations to come.” He emphasized that the bronze medal was a significant accomplishment, given that it followed their podium finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

A feat that will be cherished for generations to come!

The Indian Hockey team shines bright at the Olympics, bringing home the Bronze Medal! This is even more special because it is their second consecutive Medal at the Olympics.

Their success is a triumph of skill,…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 8, 2024

Modi praised the Indian hockey team for their skill, perseverance, and team spirit, noting their impressive resilience throughout the tournament. He specifically highlighted the contributions of team captain Harmanpreet Singh, who scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over Spain. Harmanpreet’s goals came in the 30th and 33rd minutes, countering Spain’s sole goal, scored by their captain Marc Miralles in the 18th minute from a penalty stroke.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the emotional connection many Indians have with hockey and expressed hope that this success would further popularize the sport among the nation’s youth. Additionally, Modi’s message paid a special tribute to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who concluded his illustrious 18-year career with this match. Known as “The Great Indian Wall of Indian Hockey,” Sreejesh’s career was marked by numerous contributions to Indian hockey, and his final game ended on a high note with the bronze medal win.

The post also mentioned that in the final match of the day, Germany would face the Netherlands.

Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team Start Europe Tour With 2-0 Win

May 22, 2024, 1:38 pm

The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team started their Tour of Europe with a stunning 2-0 victory over the Netherlands’ club Bredase Hockey Vereniging Push in Netherlands’ Breda. Hina Bano and Kanika Siwach etched their names on the scoresheet to secure the victory for India.

A goalless first quarter occurred despite both teams having opportunities through penalty corners. India missed the first goal despite their desire to seize the lead and start the campaign strongly. In the same way, India failed to convert any of their three penalty corners during the second quarter.

In the third quarter, an important penalty corner for India led to a goal by Hina Bano, breaking the scoreless tie and making it 1-0. Hockey Vereniging in Bredase Push made a determined effort to tie the score, but they were unable to capitalize on any of their three penalty corners in the third quarter, so they continued to fall behind.

In the fourth and final quarter, the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team triumphed against the Dutch club, as Kanika Siwach found the back of the net to double India’s lead. The Indian defensive unit did well to maintain their clean sheet in the final few minutes of the match and ensured the victory.
The Indian Junior Women’s team will play their next match against Belgium in Breda, Netherlands on 22nd May.

Indian junior women’s hockey team:

Goalkeepers: Aditi Maheshwari, Nidhi
Defenders: Jyoti Singh (C), Lalthantluangi, Anjali Barwa, Puja Sahoo, Mamita Oram, NirruKullu
Midfielders: Kshetrimayum Sonia Devi, Rajani Kerketta, Priyanka Yadav, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Sakshi Rana (VC), Anisha Sahu, Supriya Kujur
Forwards: Binima Dhan, Hina Bano, Lalrinpuii, Ishika, Sanjana Horo, Sonam, Kanika Siwach.

OUT NOW : Junior Men’s Hockey Team for FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023

November 14, 2023, 2:18 pm

The Indian junior men’s hockey team was announced by Hockey India on Tuesday in advance of the much awaited FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023, which is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from December 5–16.
India is in an intriguing Pool C with Korea, Spain, Canada, and other participants. Their expedition begins on December 5 with a match against Korea. On December 7 and 9, respectively, they will face Spain and Canada.
The other pools of the competition include Australia, Chile, Malaysia, the defending champions, Argentina, and others. South Africa, Egypt, France, and Germany are in Pool B. With Belgium, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Pakistan fighting for a spot in the quarterfinals, Pool D promises to be extremely competitive.

December 12 is the date of the Quarter-Finals; December 14 is the date of the Semi-Finals; and December 16 is the date of the Grand Final.
India finished fourth in the previous tournament and just missed out on the Bronze medal; this time, they plan to go all the way.
Notably, Uttam Singh will serve as captain and Araijeet Singh Hundal as vice captain of the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team.
Among the talented players in the squad are goalkeepers Mohith H S and Ranvijay Singh Yadav. The positions of Amir Ali, Amandeep Lakra, Rohit, Sunil JoJo, and Shardanand Tiwari, the defense, have all been merited. Vishnukant Singh, Poovanna C B, Rajinder Singh, Amandeep, and Aditya Singh provide strength to the midfield.

The forward line showcases the skills and talents of Uttam Singh, Aditya Lalage, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Sudeep Chirmako, and Boby Singh Dhami. Additionally, defender Sukhvinder and midfielder Sunit Lakra have been named as replacement players for this prestigious event.
As per a press release from Hockey India, Indian Men’s Junior Team Coach CR Kumar, said, “As reigning Asian champions, the prospect of showcasing our skills on the global stage fills us with immense excitement. Our track record in previous Junior Men’s tournaments, yielding positive results, has instilled confidence in our abilities to compete at a higher level.””This time, we present a well-rounded, formidable squad, marking a significant shift in our approach towards the Junior World Cup. Moreover, we draw inspiration from the legacy created by the 2016 Junior World Cup-winning team and aspire to meet the expectations it has set. To aid us in this endeavour, we are fortunate to have a bunch of seasoned players, who were part of the last Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar. They will shoulder leadership roles and mentor their teammates. Our ultimate priority is to clinch victory in the Junior World Cup, and we are committed to taking measured steps toward achieving this goal,” he added.

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Malaysia 2023:
GOALKEEPERS: Mohith H S, Ranvijay Singh Yadav.
DEFENDERS: Shardanand Tiwari, Amandeep Lakra, Rohit, Sunil JoJo, Amir Ali.
MIDFIELDERS: Vishnukant Singh, Poovanna C B, Rajinder Singh, Amandeep, Aditya Singh.
FORWARDS: Uttam Singh (C), Aditya Lalage, Araijeet Singh Hundal (VC), Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Sudeep Chirmako, Boby Singh Dhami.
REPLACEMENT ATHLETES: Sukhvinder, Sunit Lakra..

Stay Tuned For More Updates.

India celebrates the victory over South Korea

August 8, 2023, 11:54 am

On Monday, the Indian men’s hockey team defeated South Korea 3-2 in a hard-fought battle at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in the Asian Champions Trophy.
Therefore, given how the first 45 minutes of the game had gone, India’s fourth-quarter performance was unexpected and out of character. They were quick to win balls back, inventive in attack, and patient against a Korean team that defended deep in their half.

Mandeep Singh, who scored a goal in the game, remarked afterward that the boys defended well and that the squad needed to win this match.

Meanwhile, Mandeep Singh was heard saying ”I would say that it turned out to be a good match. It was a tough one. The score was 3-2. The boys defended well from behind. We wanted to win this game, so we’re happy.”

Following Korea’s many circle penetrations, the Indian hockey team launched numerous attacks. In the 22nd minute, India was granted their first golden corner when Mandeep Singh clashed with a Korean defender’s foot.

Spain: Indian hockey team selected for 4-nation tournament

July 7, 2023, 2:07 pm

Hockey India announced on Friday the 24-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team that would compete in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament, which will be held from July 25 to July 30 in Terrasa, Spain.

India will compete against England, the Netherlands, and hosts Spain in the four-nation tournament, which will act as a warm-up for the Indian squad before the much-anticipated Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, which would be followed by the vital Hangzhou Asian Games. The team will be led by Harmanpreet Singh, an exceptional drag-flicker and defender, and vice-captained by Hardik Singh, a productive midfielder.

Goalkeeping duties will be shared by Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran and Krishan Bahadur Pathak, while defenders include Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Sanjay. Varun Kumar and Nilam Sanjeep Xess, who missed the FIH Pro League matches in Belgium, have also been nominated to the squad.

Meanwhile, aggressive and dynamic players such as Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, and Raj Kumar Pal will control the midfield. Sumit and Nilakanta Sharma have also returned to the squad after missing the FIH Pro League matches in Belgium.

Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Pawan, Dilpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh, and Karthi Selvam lead the offensive line. These skilled and agile forwards are capable of scoring vital goals, creating scoring opportunities, and applying unrelenting pressure on the opposing defense.

Hockey India names men’s squad for FIH Hockey Pro League

May 15, 2023, 4:57 pm

Hockey India on Monday named a strong 24-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team for the next leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Europe, starting 26 May. In their previous outing in the prestigious League matches at home, India remained unbeaten against reigning World Champions Germany and Australia, which helped them top the points table.

In Europe, they will hope to continue their winning momentum as they take on the formidable Belgium and Great Britain in London, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Argentina in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

This will be the team’s first outing under newly-appointed Chief Coach Craig Fulton, while the team will continue to be led by ace drag-flicker and defender Harmanpreet Singh and vice captained by prolific midfielder Hardik Singh.

The team features goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak. He returns to the squad after missing the home matches due to his wedding. He will be joined by PR Sreejesh in the goalpost, while the defenders’ list includes five penalty corner specialists in Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, and Mandeep Mor.

Manpreet Singh, who was the cynosure of India’s midfield, will be seen in a new role, playing in India’s backline, along with Sumit and Gurinder Singh, who have also been named in the backline. The midfield will be led by Vice Captain Hardik Singh, along with Dilpreet Singh, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Shamsher Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad.

India’s forward line sees the return of Simranjeet Singh, who last played for India at the Asia Cup in Jakarta but had to return home midway due to injury issues. He will be joined by a good mix of an experienced and young set of strikers like Abhishek, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, S Karthi, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, and Mandeep Singh.

Women’s junior Asia Cup 2023: Meet Hockey India 18-member Indian junior team

May 10, 2023, 5:02 pm

Hockey India reveals the 18-member Indian Junior Women’s Team for the prestigious Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023, which will begin on June 2nd in Kakamigahara, Japan.

During the group stage, the Indian Junior Women will compete in Pool A against Korea, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan, while Pool B will face off hosts Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong China, and Indonesia.

The Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 is an important event for the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team because the top three nations will qualify for the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup 2023.

Women’s junior Asia Cup squad

Captain Preeti will lead India’s campaign, while Deepika will serve as Vice Captain. Goalkeepers Madhuri Kindo and Aditi Maheshwari, as well as defenders Mahima Tete, Preeti, Neelam, Ropni Kumari, and Anjali Barwa, have been named to the squad.

Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Manju Chorsiya, Jyoti Chhatri, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sujata Kujur, and Manashri Narendra Shedage make up the midfield.

The experienced Mumtaz Khan, Vice Captain Deepika and Deepika Soreng, as well as newcomers Annu and Sunelita Toppo, will lead India’s forward line.

Overall team:

Madhuri Kindo
Aditi Maheshwari
Mahima Tete
Preeti (Captain)
Neelam
Ropni Kumari
Anjali Barwa
Rutaja Dadaso Pisal
Manju Chorsiya
Jyoti Chhatri
Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke
Sujata Kujur
Manashri Narendra Shedage
Mumtaz Khan
Deepika (VC)
Deepika Soreng
Annu
Sunelita Toppo

Trying to score but goals not coming off, says Harmanpreet Singh

January 24, 2023, 2:19 pm

India captain Harmanpreet Singh confessed that he is struggling to convert the penalty strokes while addressing a media briefing after the hosts lost to New Zealand in the crossover on Sunday.

The drag-flicker talked about his form at the Hockey World Cup, saying that he has been trying hard, without any success to convert the chances offered in the form of penalty corners. “Of course, everyone is talking about penalty corner conversion. I am trying but it is not coming off. It’s been a while since taking captaincy,” expressed the captain. Describing his failed attempt during the penalty shootout, he said, “My mindset was to score the goal going into the sudden-death shootout. We could have sealed the match there. We tried hard but unfortunately failed to convert.”

Head coach Graham Reid PC also underlined the team’s inability to convert the penalty corner but also highlighted the missed chance during circle penetrations. “Obviously, corner conversion. We had circle penetration but failed to convert them into goals. Not having converted the penalties is a factor but that is not the only factor. Right now, the focus will be to do well in matches against Germany in FIH Pro League,” mentioned Reid.

Sharing his thoughts on India’s performance he said, “Tonight was about consistency. Every team at certain stages have specific issues with circle penetration. It is skill execution. It is about creating chances and we are doing that. As far as training and as far as practice this team does everything.” New Zealand held their nerves to oust India in the penalty shootout at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday as the host crashed out of the 2023 Hockey World Cup. Despite being ahead in the game, India missed the opportunity to build on a 3-1 lead in the third quarter, when New Zealand scored twice in the final quarter to tie the game 3-3 at the end of the regular time forcing a shootout.

Indian women’s hockey team registers third win, beat South Africa 2-0

December 15, 2022, 3:00 pm

Indian women’s hockey team continued their winning momentum at the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in Spain as they beat South Africa 2-0 on Wednesday in their pool B encounter.

This is their third consecutive win, as in their previous two matches, India defeated Chile 3-1 and Japan 2-1, respectively.

India is placed on top of pool B with nine points and three straight wins. It will play the semifinal against Ireland. In pool A, India’s goals came from Deep Grace Ekka (14’) and Gurjit Kaur (59’).

Continuing their previous match gallants, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team got off to an attacking start against South Africa. Deep Grace Ekka beat keeper Anelle van Deventer by slapping the ball inside the South African goal after youngster Salima Tete earned a PC with an excellent run near the baseline on the left side of the goal.

India registered several entries inside the South African circle and continued the winning momentum. At the beginning of the second quarter, Anelle van Deventer had to make three crucial stops to prevent India from increasing their match-leading margin. The Indian Women’s Hockey Team also received a PC, but Gurjit Kaur’s shot outside the post prevented them from scoring the second goal.

India had the most of the ball possession to start the third quarter as well, searching for weaknesses in the South African defence. Lalremsiami quickly gave India a penalty stroke. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, an accomplished player, was unable to score the second goal of the game because Anelle van Deventer dived to her left and made a superb stop. In the final seconds, Navneet Kaur too failed to put the ball in the goal.

Sonika of India received the ball inside the circle on the left side of the post and had her first chance to score early in the fourth quarter. She attempted to put the ball inside the South African goal, but was unsuccessful. In the final few minutes, India won back-to-back penalty corners, and Gurjit Kaur made no mistakes in putting the ball in the goal to lead the team to an easy victory.

On December 16 at 2015 IST, India will play Ireland in the semifinal. The FanCode App in India will live stream the matches. Watch will also broadcast live matches. Hockey