We will try and create maximum penalty corner opportunities: Gurwinder Singh Chandi

Incheon (South Korea), September 20, 2014: As the Asian Games 2014 matches approach, both the Indian men and women teams have acclimatised with the environment of Incheon through various fitness sessions and drills. Both the teams are implementing their strategies on-field to get used to the new turf and environment during these practice sessions.  Here, the experience of senior players of the teams come handy, who help other players to adapt to the new environment as early as possible.

Speaking on the preparations before their first match against Sri Lanka, Indian men hockey team’s forward Gurwinder Singh Chandi said, “As this will be my second big tournament after my comeback in the team for the XX Commonwealth Games 2014, I am looking forward to giving my best and trying to create as many penalty corner opportunities as I can. The forward line has work hard in all the weak areas which our Coaches have highlighted while watching the videos of our matches during the Commonwealth Games 2014. The team together is also working towards increasing the scoring capacity and converting the openings into goals.”

He further added, “We are also trying out the rolling substitutions and the advancements are looking positive so far. The team is well in sync with the drills and ready to take on Sri Lanka.”

Forward player of the Indian women’s team, Poonam Rani after a practice session, said, “We are fully prepared for the new format of the game. The team has worked on its mistakes made during the XX Commonwealth Games and are preparing really hard during the on-field and off-field strategic sessions. In the forward line, we are three experienced players Poonam Rani, Vanadana Katariya and myself having played more than 100 international matches and therefore it becomes our responsibility to make the young talents adapt to the international environment and the turfs as quickly as possible. We will also try our best to boost the younger ones to perform their best during the matches. Young forward player Navjot Kaur has also been successful in impressing everyone with her performance in the XX Commonwealth Games 2014 at Glasgow. We are fully committed for our responsibility towards scoring more and more goals and also creating penalty corner opportunities for our dragflickers”.

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Hockey India congratulates Sardar Singh for being named as Flag Bearer for the Indian Contingent at the 17th Asian Games 2014

New Delhi, September 18, 2014: Hockey India congratulates Sardar Singh, Captain of Indian Men Hockey team, who will be the flag bearer for the country during the opening ceremony of the 17th Asian Games 2014 scheduled to take place in Incheon, South Korea on 19 September 2014.

The 28 year old midfielder was also a part of the torch lighting ceremony for the 17th Asian Games which started its journey last month from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, the venue for 1st Asian Games. Sardar Singh will be representing the Indian Men’s Hockey team for the second time at the Asian Games and it comes as a well deserved recognition for him.

Speaking on the occasion, Hockey India’s Secretary General Dr. Narinder Batra said, “Sardar Singh being chosen as the flag bearer for India at the 17th Asian Games has brought much happiness to me and the Hockey India family, making us proud of his achievements. Representing your nation on such a huge international platform is a matter of great pride and I would like to congratulate Sardar Singh on behalf of the entire Hockey India family for this.”

Sardar Singh, who made his international debut in 2006, has represented the country in 191 international matches till date. He has represented India at major events including FIH World Cup 2014 in The Netherlands, FIH World League Round 4 in India, Men’s Asia Cup 2013 in Malaysia, FIH World League Semi-final 2013 in The Netherlands, FIH World League Round 2, 2013 in India, Olympic Games 2012 in London, FIH Men’s Champions Trophy 2012 in Australia, Asian Champions Trophy 2012 in Qatar & 2011 in China, Asian Games 2010 in China, Commonwealth Games 2010 in India and FIH World Cup 2010 in India.

For his outstanding performance in 2010, Sardar Singh was included in the FIH All Star Team. Sardar Singh was also honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2012 for his achievements by the Government of India.

Under the leadership of Sardar Singh, Indian Men Hockey team has won the Silver medal at the recently concluded XX Commonwealth Games 2014 at Glasgow, Scotland.

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Women hockey team is focusing on speed, coordination and passes: Navjot Kaur

Incheon (South Korea), September 17,  2014: Keeping in mind the magnitude of the upcoming 17th Asian Games at Incheon, South Korea, which will secure both Indian men’s and women’s hockey team a spot in the Rio Olympics 2016, both the teams are giving the final touch-up to their preparations during their training sessions here. 

Speaking on Sreejesh’s comments on him being one of the key players for Asian Games, SV Sunil said, “It is purely a team effort at that moment and I will aim to create sufficient tension in the opposite camp so as to sneak the ball in the goal. I will strive to create a strategic game play to make the winning strike. Speedy passing and possession of the ball within the forward line-up is going to help us create more opportunities and currently our practice sessions are focusing on the same.”

S V Sunil further added, “Our Goalkeeper P R Sreejesh is like the pillar of our fort. Sreejesh has always given me tips on how to go through the opponents defence and which I have applied in my games. I have always taken his guidance seriously and it has helped me better myself as a player. ”

On the other hand the women camp is also gearing up for their first clash against Thailand, Mid-fielder Navjot Kaur said “The team is high on morale and we are confident to top our Pool in the group phase. Our training session today was more on speed, coordination and passes. We are confident of starting the tournament on a winning note. The weather is good and we have acclimatized to the conditions here.”

She further added, “Playing with experienced players at the midfield position including our Captain Ritu Rani, Vandana Katariya and Sushila Chanu, I have gained a lot of experience which is helping me grow as a player each day. With a synchronized combination of young and experienced players, I am confident that the team will generate desirable results.”

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Indian hockey team practice in Incheon picks up pace

Incheon (Korea), September 16 2014: Gaining momentum during the ongoing practice sessions for the upcoming Asian Games 2014 at Incheon, South Korea, the Indian men hockey team is high spirited and self-motivated to seal the tournament with flying colours.

With the current developments, the goalkeeper and vice-captain of the team, P R Sreejesh is excited to have defender V R Raghunath by his side during the tournament to take his place at the time of need as the back-up goalkeeper.

Preparing for the Asian Games, Sreejesh said, “The practice sessions have picked up pace and the whole team is training really hard to be ready to take on every challenge that is coming our way. The new format of the game is actually going to act as an added advantage in the field, as it will not only make the game much faster, but will also offer time to the players to re-energies during every quarter to fight more efficiently on the field.”

He further added, “Standing on the other side of the field during the Commonwealth Games, I saw S V Sunil giving a tough time to the opponents whenever he used to enter their D. It used to create a furore of tension whenever Sunil was successful in penetrating through the opponents defence. I look upto him to continue his Commonwealth Games form during the Asian Games and help us keep the opponents on the toes.”

Recently adjudged as the ‘Junior Men Player of the Year’, midfielder Manpreet Singh said, “The midfield position is a very important place as we have to keep the speed intact and ensure that we support both the defence as well as the forwards and personally if I am successful as a midfielder, it is because of captain Sardar Singh. He plays a pivotal role in the team as well as in the midfield position and he is the inspiration for Danish, Dharamvir, Chinglensana and I.”

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