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News18
19-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
HI Announces 40-Member Core Group For Women's Hockey National Camp Ahead Of Asia Cup
The Asia Cup also serves as a pathway to the FIH Women's World Cup, scheduled to be held in the year 2026 at Hangzhou, China. Hockey India named a 40-member core probables unit for the Indian Women's Hockey Team training camp ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup. The camp is slated to be held at the Sports Authority of India Centre in Bengaluru between the 21st of July and the 29th of August. The Asia Cup also serves as a pathway to the FIH Women's World Cup, scheduled to be held in the year 2026 at Hangzhou, China. All players from the previous camp have been retained, in an attempt at consistency and with a long-term plan in mind. The Indian women's team, which slumped to relegation to the FIH Nations Cup on the back of their abysmal display in the European leg of the FIH Pro League, will look to get back to winning ways at the continental showpiece. Veterans Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki and Madhuri Kindo, along with rising talent Samiksha Saxena from Assam, make up the goalkeeping contiongent, while the defensive setup is filled with known names including Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita and Mahima Chaudhary, and up and comers Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Anjna Dungdung, Akshata Abaso Dhekale and Suman Devi Thoudam. The experience of the seasoned Neha, Salima Tete, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Manisha Chauhan and Sharmila Devi will come in handy if a balance between the veterans and youngsters, such as Sujata Kujur, Mahima Tete, Albela Rani Toppo and Pooja Yada, are struck. Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Sangita Kumari, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Annu, Hritika Singh, Dipimonika Toppo, Chandana Jagadish and Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar feature as the forewards on the list. 'The Asia Cup is not just a prestigious continental tournament, but also a direct route to the 2026 World Cup," head coach of the Indian women's team Harendra Singh said. 'We are treating this camp with utmost intensity and focus to ensure we arrive in Hangzhou as a mentally and physically prepared unit." 'We have retained the core from the last camp to maintain consistency in our approach, while also allowing the younger players more time to integrate into the senior structure," he continued. 'After a tough Pro League campaign in Europe, where we couldn't produce the results we wanted, this camp also gives us a chance to reset, refocus, and bounce back stronger. Moreover, we have identified critical angles in penalty corner defence, which was a key area of concern during the Pro League," Singh added. 'The energy within the group is positive. The players know what's at stake, and we'll be using every session to sharpen our structure, decision-making under pressure, and overall cohesion," he concluded. Indian women's hockey team 40-member senior core group: Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, Madhuri Kindo, Samiksha Saxena. Defenders: Mahima Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, Jyoti, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Anjna Dungdung, Suman Devi Thoudam. Midfielders: Sujata Kujur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Salima Tete, Manisha Chauhan, Ajmina Kujur, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi, Baljeet Kaur, Mahima Tete, Albela Rani Toppo, Pooja Yadav. Forwards: Dipimonika Toppo, Hritika Singh, Deepika Soreng, Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty Dungdung, Mumtaz Khan, Annu, Chandana Jagadish, Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
16-07-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Deepika becomes first Indian to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award
New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika created history by becoming the first-ever Indian player to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award as hockey fans from across the globe voted for her sensational solo field goal against the Netherlands during the Bhubaneswar leg of the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season. The 21-year-old attacker earned global recognition for her breathtaking run and finish in the 35th minute during India's match against World No.1 the Netherlands which they won in a shootout after a 2-2 draw. With India trailing 0-2, Deepika cut through the Dutch defence down the left flank, dribbled along the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick, and finished it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring for India. The Poligras Magic Skill Award celebrates the most creative and skillful moments in the FIH Hockey Pro League and is voted by fans worldwide. Deepika's goal was one of three women's nominations alongside Spain's Patricia Alvarez and Australia's women's team. The winner was decided entirely through a global fan vote, and Deepika emerged as the favourite, making a landmark achievement for Indian hockey. The men's award was won by Belgium's Victor Wegnez for his midfield brilliance which led to a team goal against Spain. Upon winning the award, an elated Deepika said, "I am truly honoured to have won this award. Scoring that goal against a challenging opponent like The Netherlands was truly a special moment for me and now receiving this recognition means a lot. I thank my teammates, coaches, family and friends who continue to support and inspire me everyday." "This award isn't just mine, it's belong to Indian hockey. Let's keep pushing forward together," she added. UNI RKM
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Women's Hockey forward Deepika becomes first Indian to wins Magic Skill award
Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika became the first-ever Indian player to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award for her sensational solo field goal in the FIH Hockey Pro League last season. The 21-year-old attacker earned global recognition for her breathtaking run and finish in the 35th minute during India's match against World No.1 the Netherlands in Bhubaneswar, which the visitors won in a shootout after a 2-2 draw. With India trailing 0-2, Deepika cut through the Dutch defence down the left flank, dribbled along the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick, and finished it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring for India. The Poligras Magic Skill Award celebrates the most creative and skilful moments in the FIH Hockey Pro League and is voted by fans worldwide. The winner was decided entirely through a global fan vote, and Deepika emerged as the favourite, making a landmark achievement for Indian hockey. ALSO READ: India A men's hockey team loses a close 2-3 match against England 'I am truly honoured to have won this award. Scoring that goal against a challenging opponent like the Netherlands was truly a special moment for me, and now receiving this recognition means a lot. I thank my teammates, coaches, family and friends who continue to support and inspire me every day.' 'This award isn't just mine, it belongs to Indian hockey. Let's keep pushing forward together,' she added. The men's award was won by Belgium's Victor Wegnez for his midfield brilliance, which led to a team goal against Spain.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Indian sports wrap, July 6: Deepika's goal nominated for Poligras Magic Skill Award
HOCKEY Deepika's field goal against Netherlands nominated for Poligras Magic Skill Award Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for her incredible solo field goal against World No.1, the Netherlands, during the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season. Deepika's iconic moment took place in February 2025 during the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League when the Indian Team defeated the Netherlands in shootout after a 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium. In the 35th minute, Deepika dribbled down the left flank brilliantly as she went around the Netherlands' backline, kissed the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick and finished the move with a wonderful strike past the keeper and into the net. Deepika left her mark with this incredible goal against the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League 2024-25. 💪🏻 Her goal has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award. 🎖️ Show your support click the link below and vote for Deepika! — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 5, 2025 'That goal against the Netherlands is one of the most special moments of my career. Everything just clicked and it helped us equalise and win the game in shootout,' the 21-year-old attacker said. The winner of the Poligras Magic Skill Award is decided by hockey fans across the world through an online vote. - Team Sportstar Related Topics FIH Hockey Pro League
United News of India
30-06-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Indian Women's Hockey team lose 2-3 to China
Berlin, June 30 (UNI) Indian Women's Hockey Team ended their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 campaign with a 2-3 loss against China here. Though it was an inspired performance by India on Sunday, it was simply not enough to get the better of China. It was goals by Ying Zhang (19', 30') and Xu Wenyu (53') that helped China win while Sunelita Toppo (9') and Rujuta Dadaso Pisal (38') scored for India. This was the last match of the season with Netherlands finishing on top, Argentina finishing second and Belgium finishing third in the league while China have finished fourth in the points table. India sadly, have finished last and will be relegated and will need to play the FIH Nations Cup to earn their place again in the prestigious FIH Pro League. Though it was China who got on to a good start with an early PC, India made headway in the 9th minute when a pass from Neha Goyal to Sunelita Toppo led to a fine goal. The youngster from Odisha picked up the pass well, runs up wide to create space and got a clear shot on goal. Two minutes later, China threatened to equalise when they won a PC but India defended well. It didn't take too long for China to find an equaliser. In the 18th minute, China won a PC - though there was no goal from this attempt, Deng Qiuchan was hit on the face by Indian defender Manisha Chauhan while she was trying to clear the ball. Quichan had to be taken off the field, and the on-field umpire handed China a penalty stroke which was appealed by India. The video umpire did uphold India's review and awarded a PC to China, which they promptly converted through Ying Zhang. Building momentum in their attack, China fetched another PC towards the end of the second quarter. Zhang was spot-on yet again as she added another goal to her name, ensuring China were in lead. India had their chance to equalise in the 37th minute when they won their first PC of the game. While the first PC was blocked by the Chinese defenders, there was a back stick. Though the on-field umpire missed it, India took a successful referral and were awarded another PC. This time, Navneet Kaur took the shot and tried a fantastic variation. The experienced Kaur passed the ball to Rujuta who was standing on the right flank. She got a perfect deflection to level the score. India showcased an inspired performance today, put pressure on China, creating potential chances in the circle and even found success. China, meanwhile, began the final quarter with a PC after a back stick foul by India. This one was well-defended by Bichu Devi, India's goalie. Bichu was kept busy in the following minutes as China won two more PCs but Devi was on par with her saves. A relentless China ended up finding success in the 53rd minute when Xu Wenyu converted this one through a PC. India giving away soft PCs has been a concern in both the matches against China. The 3-2 lead put China in a good position to finish well. "This Pro League we played attacking hockey. We need to continue to build on it. We have the World Cup qualifier coming up and our aim will be to do well there," stated Salima Tete after the match. UNI BM
