India stare at a tough challenge
India have never won the tournament and the stakes for finishing on top, this season, are as high as earning direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup - co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
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India Gazette
36 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Indian Junior women's hockey team continues international tour with 5-match European leg
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): The Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team is set to continue its international campaign with a five-match European tour from June 8-17, where they will take on Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands. The team, which recently concluded a promising outing at the Four Nations Tournament in Rosario, Argentina, has now reached Europe for the next leg of international exposure. India will begin the tour with three matches against Belgium at the Hockey Center of Excellence, Wilrijkse Plein, in Antwerp. They will then face Australia at Beerschot Tennis Hockey Padel Club, in Kontich, before wrapping up the tour with a match against the Netherlands at Hockey Club Kampong, in Utrecht, as per a press release from Hockey India. In Argentina, the Indian side delivered strong performances against quality opposition. They registered a 2-1 win and a 2-2 (2-3 shootout) loss against Chile, earned a 1-1 (2-0 shootout) win and a 2-4 loss against hosts Argentina, and defeated Uruguay twice -- 3-2 and 2-2 (3-1 shootout). The tour served as an important step in the team's preparations, offering valuable lessons in handling high-pressure scenarios and adapting to different playing styles. Notably, these matches are also a key part of India's preparation for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Santiago, Chile, in December 2025. Facing strong international opponents in varied conditions will help fine-tune the squad's combinations, build match temperament, and instill the confidence required to perform on the world stage. Speaking ahead of the European tour, Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team Coach Tushar Khandker said, 'This extended tour is an excellent opportunity for our team. We had a valuable learning experience in Argentina, and now moving straight into matches against Belgium, Australia, and the Netherlands will allow us to build on that momentum. These are high-calibre teams that will test our tactical and technical depth, as well as our consistency. For many of these players, this is a critical phase in their development, and such tours give them the kind of exposure that can't be replicated in training sessions alone.' 'Most importantly, this tour plays a crucial role in our preparations for the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2025 later this year. Every match we play now helps us get one step closer to being ready for that challenge,' he added. (ANI)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Vancouver Whitecaps players fall ill after Mexico final; Canada coach suggests possible poisoning
Canada's men's national soccer team coach, Jesse Marsch , was outraged on Friday, June 6, that Vancouver Whitecaps players had been "poisoned" during their trip to Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Earlier, the Whitecaps released a statement on Thursday indicating that approximately half of the 75 individuals who returned to Vancouver on the team's charter plane after Sunday's game reported experiencing symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness . He addressed the issue and said that the team is monitoring the players' conditions and considering necessary adjustments. 'We're still in the evaluation phase,' Marsch said during a press conference. 'We know some players have been sick after the trip to Mexico. We're trying to gather information and ensure everyone is ready, but health comes first.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The price of dental implants may surprise you Dental Implants | Search Ads Search Now Undo Marsch admitted that he had no evidence of poisoning but added that, "It's not random that two years in a row that this has happened." Vancouver arrived in Mexico City last Friday and faced a heavy defeat, losing 5-0 to Cruz Azul in the final of CONCACAF's elite club competition on Sunday. The players reportedly began experiencing symptoms of gastrointestinal illness shortly after returning from the match. Live Events The exact cause of the illness has not been publicly confirmed, but the timeline suggests a likely link to their stay or travel conditions. While no specific number of affected players has been disclosed, multiple members of the squad were said to be unwell. The timing of the outbreak has raised concerns for Canada's national squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. Some of the Whitecaps players are regulars or contenders for national team call-ups, and their illness could affect Marsch's lineup plans. The coach highlighted that we have contingency strategies in place. Marsch added that we have a larger player pool to work with. However, we need to be mindful of recovery timelines and don't want to rush anyone too soon. This incident has prompted discussions around travel protocols and food safety for players traveling internationally. Teams often face different hygiene standards when playing abroad, especially in countries with varying water quality or food handling practices. Experts point out that gastrointestinal illnesses are not uncommon in high-travel sports environments. 'It's part of the risk when you travel, especially for international tournaments,' said a former national team nutritionist, who noted that strict controls over food and water intake are typically recommended. The Vancouver Whitecaps have not issued an official statement detailing the extent of the illness but confirmed that health precautions were being followed.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
A Commissioner As A Scapegoat For Colossal, Collective Failure?
The stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is among the most tragic events I have witnessed in my life as a reporter. I was there at 2 pm, dancing and singing with the crowds in an RCB jersey. I am not an IPL fan, did not even watch the final, yet at the stadium, it felt like an India World Cup win. Everyone was carried away - young to old, all congregated. As the clock ticked along, the crowds thronged and thronged. By 4 pm, I began moving out towards Cubbon Park. It was clear that chaos would unravel, but no one expected a tragedy of this scale. A few policemen were desperately trying - and failing. The traffic was a mess; there was no way you could even walk. The stadium gates wouldn't hold fort. People started climbing over the gates from the adjoining walls. The security guard at Gate 21 told me a day later that he ran for his life. "If I stayed, I'd have died as well," he said to me casually. No one anticipated what would unravel - that 11 young, tender lives would be snuffed out and over 40 would be injured. I was angry with myself for drumming up the fervour. Everyone has to reflect: the government, the police, RCB, KSCA, the journalists who were building the frenzy, and the cricketers, too. Multiple questions were raised, and the final answer is - it wasn't worth it. But this is not India's first stampede. I'm not sure this will be the last. Now, fixing the blame and taking legal action is due process. Cases have been filed. Organisers and police officers have faced legal action. But the political leadership remains immune, with just emotional statements of "shock." The question now is whether the suspension of an IPS officer of ADGP rank - the Commissioner of Police - along with two other IPS officers and two other policemen, is a fair call. Especially since a formal inquiry report is awaited. Prima facie, everyone seems to have done something wrong, but the government is yet to state on the record exactly who asked for the celebratory events in such a tearing hurry, what the police said, and who was part of the decision. It was a collective failure. Against this backdrop, suspending the top cop is a huge hit on the police force. The morale will take a huge hit. One serving young officer asked me, "If the commissioner can't protect himself, why would we follow his orders? It's very demotivating." Transfers of senior officers and suspensions of those lower down the hierarchy in the force are a professional hazard that officers accept as par for the course. But a suspension of this scale, despite the nature of the tragedy, has shaken them up. If the commissioner is suspended, then shouldn't the Home Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Chief Minister also face action? Serving officers are angry. Former officers have firmly expressed a demand for revocation of the suspension. Even those with the BJP - like former Commissioner Bhaskar Rao - have categorically demanded the suspension be revoked and have told their party to demand the same. The suspension order of an IPS officer has to be ratified by the Centre in 30 days. There is pressure from IPS officers on the Centre not to ratify the suspension of the commissioner and the other IPS officers. The state government may have gone too far with the suspensions, and it also reflects that they have admitted to the guilt of a failure. Their argument is that the event at the stadium was a private event, and the commissioner did not brief the CM and ministers clearly about the plan. However, the full truth has to be placed on record, and versions need to be investigated. If there is categorical proof of guilt, then action must be taken - no matter how senior the officer is. However, until such categorical proof is declared in public, suspending such a senior officer has rattled the force, and this may not be taken lightly. It will be important to see whether the Union Home Ministry will ratify the order. Finally, as a young IPS officer said, "Okay, suspend the commissioner, but let the CM, DyCM, or HM also suspend themselves or go on a leave of absence, taking moral responsibility till the magisterial report comes." Ultimately, it's a colossal, collective failure. Everyone needs to reflect and share the guilt. Penal action is essential - but against all those responsible, especially the political leadership, which our celebrated cricketers basked in the glory with on stage for a feat they had nothing to do with.
