New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) The Indian junior women's hockey team will be back on the field after more than a year following the coronavirus-induced break, when they tour Chile for six matches later this month.
The junior colts last played against Australia and New Zealand in a three Nations tournament in December 2019. They had a fair outing in Australia, winning two matches, drawing one and losing one.
The Indian junior hockey team will now take on junior Chile team on January 17 and 18. Thereafter, the Indian junior team will be up against the senior Chile Team on January 20, 21, 23 and 24.
'The Indian junior women's hockey team has worked very hard since returning to the Junior Women's National Coaching Camp in October and it will be great to see the players execute their skills in a match environment in Chile,' said the Indian Junior Women's Hockey team coach Erik Wonink.
Hockey India on Friday named the 24-member junior women's squad for the tour.
The team, which will be captained by defender Suman Devi Thoudam with defender Ishika Chaudhary serving as the vice-Captain, consists of goalkeepers Khushboo and Rashanpreet Kaur, defenders Mahima Choudhary, Priyanka, Gagandeep Kaur, Sushma Kumari and Akshata Dhekale, midfielders Baljeet Kaur, Chetna, Mariana Kujur, Ajmina Kujur, Reet, Prabhleen Kaur, Vaishnavi Phalke and Preeti, and forwards Jiwan Kishori Toppo, Mumtaz Khan, Rutuja Pisal, Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung, Lalrindiki and Deepika.
The tour will serve as a much-needed preparations for the Indian team for the all-important Junior World Cup this year.
Indian team captain Suman Devi Thoudam is absolutely thrilled about the side's tour to Chile.
"We are absolutely ecstatic about touring Chile as it's been a while since we got some match practice due to the coronavirus pandemic, so this will be a good outing especially as it's coming at an apt time," Thoudam said.
"It's been very difficult to stay away from tournaments and the tour of Chile has come at the right time. We have practiced well in the last few months and the games against Chile will help us prepare for the Junior Asia Cup which will be held in April 2021," she added.
Hockey India and the Chilean Field Hockey Federation will be creating a bio bubble for all the personnel involved in the tour.
"The entire Indian squad (players & support staff) will be tested twice (once within 72 hours of departure from India & once at arrival in Chile) before the Indian team starts training in Chile. An affidavit along with the negative PCR test result of each individual travelling squad member has to be submitted at entry in Chile," Hockey India said in a statement.
'At all times the Indian team has to stick to a strict health bubble and move uniquely and exclusively from the hotel to the pitch and from pitch to the hotel, the team will be travelling in a dedicated transport.
The local resources along with the team for example - the team bus/coach, drivers, support staff will all remain the same throughout the tour to avoid any lapses in any way possible. There will be no movement of members out of the hotel except for training and match days,' it added.
UNI AVK SHK1751