Latest news with #SalimaTete
Hans India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Women's hockey team to open Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Thailand
New Delhi: The Indian women's hockey team is set to kick off its campaign in the Women's Asia Cup 2025 against Thailand on September 5, 2025, at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Field Hockey Field, the 2022 Asian Games hockey venue, in Hangzhou, China. The Indian team has been placed in Pool B, alongside defending Asia Cup champions Japan, Thailand, and Singapore, while Pool A consists of hosts China, Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 5 to 14, 2025. Team India, which claimed the bronze medal in the previous edition, will be eyeing the top podium finish this time. A victory not only brings continental glory but also guarantees a direct qualification to the 2026 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup, as the Asia Cup champions earn an automatic berth in the prestigious quadrennial event. Speaking on the tournament, India captain Salima Tete said, 'We are excited to begin our campaign in the Women's Asia Cup. Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. 'However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament. Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup,' she added. Echoing Salima's sentiments, vice-captain Navneet Kaur said, 'It will be a challenging tournament with Asia's top teams competing with each other, but we see it as a chance to bring out our best right from the first whistle. We've been training with intensity and purpose, and we will aim to execute our plans on the field during the tournament. Playing against Japan in the group stage gives us an early look at high-pressure hockey, which can only help us grow stronger as a unit. We're determined to make this Asia Cup campaign count and make the country proud,' she said.
Hans India
6 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Indian women's hockey team to open Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Thailand
New Delhi: The Indian women's hockey team is set to kick off its campaign in the Women's Asia Cup 2025 against Thailand on September 5, 2025, at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Field Hockey Field, the 2022 Asian Games hockey venue, in Hangzhou, China. The Indian team has been placed in Pool B, alongside defending Asia Cup champions Japan, Thailand, and Singapore, while Pool A consists of hosts China, Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 5 to 14, 2025. Team India, which claimed the bronze medal in the previous edition, will be eyeing the top podium finish this time. A victory not only brings continental glory but also guarantees a direct qualification to the 2026 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup, as the Asia Cup champions earn an automatic berth in the prestigious quadrennial event. Speaking on the tournament, India captain Salima Tete said, 'We are excited to begin our campaign in the Women's Asia Cup. Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. "However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament. Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup,' she added. Echoing Salima's sentiments, vice-captain Navneet Kaur said, 'It will be a challenging tournament with Asia's top teams competing with each other, but we see it as a chance to bring out our best right from the first whistle. We've been training with intensity and purpose, and we will aim to execute our plans on the field during the tournament. Playing against Japan in the group stage gives us an early look at high-pressure hockey, which can only help us grow stronger as a unit. We're determined to make this Asia Cup campaign count and make the country proud,' she said. Notably, the Indian women's hockey team last won the Asia Cup back in 2017, when they defeated China in the final to lift the title. India's schedule for Asia Cup 2025: Sept 5, 2025: India vs Thailand Sept 6, 2025: Japan vs India Sept 8, 2025: India vs Singapore
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Women's Asia Cup 2025 Schedule: India to open campaign against Thailand
The Indian women's hockey team will open its Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 5 before taking on defending champion Japan and Singapore, Hockey India announced on Wednesday. The Indian team, which claimed the bronze medal in the previous edition, is placed in Pool B along with Japan, Thailand and Singapore while Pool A consists of host China, Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 5 to 14 and the winner will get a direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. India's second match will be against Japan on September 6, followed by its final Pool B contest against Singapore on September 8. 'Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament,' India captain Salima Tete said. 'Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 women's FIH Hockey World Cup.' Echoing Salima's sentiments, vice-captain Navneet Kaur said, 'It will be a challenging tournament with Asia's top teams competing with each other, but we see it as a chance to bring out our best right from the first whistle. We've been training with intensity and purpose, and we will aim to execute our plans on the field during the tournament. Playing against Japan in the group stage gives us an early look at high-pressure hockey, which can only help us grow stronger as a unit. We're determined to make this Asia Cup campaign count and make the country proud.' India had won the Asia Cup back in 2017, when it defeated China in the final. According to the format, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super 4s Pool, where each team will play one match against each of the other three teams. The top two teams from the Super 4s Pool will qualify for the final, while the third and fourth placed teams will compete in the 3rd/4th place match. The bottom two teams from Pool A and Pool B will play classification matches to determine the 5th to 8th positions in the tournament.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
India to open Women's Asia Cup campaign against Thailand
New Delhi, The Indian women's hockey team will open its Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 5 before taking on defending champions Japan and Singapore, Hockey India announced on Wednesday. The Indian team, which claimed the bronze medal in the previous edition, is placed in Pool B along Japan, Thailand and Singapore while Pool A consists of hosts China, Korea, Malaysia, and Chinese Taipei. The tournament is set to take place in Hangzhou, China, from September 5 to 14 and the winner will get a direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. India's second match will be against Japan on September 6, followed by final Pool B contest against Singapore on September 8. "Being placed in Pool B alongside defending champions Japan will test our skills and character from the very start. However, facing them in the pool stage will be a great opportunity to measure ourselves early in the tournament," India captain Salima Tete said. "Our focus will be on playing smart, disciplined hockey and taking it one match at a time. The ultimate goal is to lift the trophy and earn a direct spot in the 2026 women's FIH Hockey World Cup." Echoing Salima's sentiments, vice-captain Navneet Kaur said, "It will be a challenging tournament with Asia's top teams competing with each other, but we see it as a chance to bring out our best right from the first whistle." "We've been training with intensity and purpose, and we will aim to execute our plans on the field during the tournament. Playing against Japan in the group stage gives us an early look at high-pressure hockey, which can only help us grow stronger as a unit. We're determined to make this Asia Cup campaign count and make the country proud." India had won the Asia Cup back in 2017, when they defeated China in the final. According to the format, the top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super 4s Pool, where each team will play one match against each of the other three teams. The top two teams from the Super 4s Pool will qualify for the final, while the third and fourth placed teams will compete in the 3rd/4th place match. The bottom two teams from Pool A and Pool B will play classification matches to determine the 5th to 8th positions in the tournament.
Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Pioneer hockey coach Pratima Barwa, who produced players like Salima Tete & Sangeeta Kumari, no more
Pratima Barwa, a hockey coach who trained many adivasi girls in Jharkhand and helped shape Olympians like Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari and Beauty Dungdung, has passed away at the age of 46 following a brain hemorrhage at a Ranchi hospital. Barwa, a native of Kocha village in Khunti's Torpa block, had suffered a seizure on May 27 while holding her infant son in her arms. She breathed her last on Sunday morning after surviving for four days in the ICU. Her funeral was held at her village in the evening. Khunti, known for its rich tribal identity, has long been a cradle of Indian hockey. It was from this very region that Jaipal Singh Munda emerged to become the captain of the Indian hockey team that won gold at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Nearly a century later, Barwa carried forward that legacy, not with a stick in hand, but with an unwavering commitment to nurture young girls in the sport. Her coaching, often in remote fields with bare minimum facilities, produced several Adivasi hockey stars. 'She dedicated her entire life to hockey,' said Sanjeeta Barwa, her younger sister. 'She started playing in Class 5 after being selected for Gumla's training programme. Later, she trained at the Bariatu Hockey Centre and then joined the Punjab Hockey Academy before returning to Jharkhand.' Barwa played for Jharkhand for nearly two decades, though a leg injury put paid to her chances of making it to the national team. After her playing career, she became a full-time coach under the Jharkhand government's Department of Tourism, Sports and Youth Affairs. Barwa was initially posted in Simdega, one of Jharkhand's hockey hubs, where she served for over a decade before being transferred to Khunti. Until her illness, she was coaching at the School of Excellence (SS+2) in Khunti, a residential centre nurturing young tribal talent. 'She produced many state, national-level and international players. She worked with the likes of Salima Tete, who is now the captain of the Indian hockey team, Sangita Kumari and Beauty Dungdung,' Sanjeeta said. Born into a hockey-loving adivasi family, Barwa drew inspiration from her father Late Gopal Barwa, a CRPF jawan and local player, and her uncles who played in village tournaments. She grew up watching matches dubbed the 'Khassi Cup' and 'Murga Cup,' where goats and chickens were prizes. Her sister remembers her struggles with clarity. 'She came up the hard way — no money, limited resources — but she never gave up. Even when she had seizures in 2022, she recovered and guided the Jharkhand team at the Rourkela nationals in 2023.' 'Even while battling illness, she remained hopeful about returning to the field,' said her tearful sister. 'She told me, 'I want to get better and go back to training my girls.'' Former India captain Asunta Lakra, currently a national selector, recalled her deep bond with Barwa, describing her as a quiet force in Jharkhand's grassroots sports movement. 'I first met Pratima didi at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bariatu, Ranchi, in the late 1990s. She was our senior — strict but gentle, a natural leader who kept the team disciplined without ever raising her voice,' Asunta told The Indian Express. 'She would say, 'I want to be a turning point in at least one girl's life.' No one talks about it, but every single international player coming from Simdega or even Jharkhand today — they were once under her care,' Lakra claimed. 'She never sought the limelight and didn't get the recognition she truly deserved — not from the system, not even from us sometimes.' Barwa's husband, Sukra Lohra, is a CRPF jawan currently posted in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. They married in 2018 and have a one-and-a-half-year-old son. He remembers how passionate his wife was about hockey, often choosing to be on the ground over holidays at home. 'She would say, 'I couldn't play much, but I want to make sure the children I coach get every opportunity,'' he recalls. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren called Barwa's passing an irreparable loss for the state and the Indian hockey fraternity. 'The untimely demise of hockey coach Pratima Barwa ji, who gave many talented international hockey players to Jharkhand and the country, is extremely saddening,' he wrote on social media. He called her 'an ideal for the hardworking daughters of Jharkhand.' Shubham Tigga hails from Chhattisgarh and studied journalism at the Asian College of Journalism. He previously reported in Chhattisgarh on Indigenous issues and is deeply interested in covering socio-political, human rights, and environmental issues in mainland and NE India. Presently based in Pune, he reports on civil aviation, other transport sectors, urban mobility, the gig economy, commercial matters, and workers' unions. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More
