FIH Women's World Cup: 'Healthy competition within group', expresses Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia

BENGALURU: With the clock ticking closer to the FIH Women's World Cup in Netherlands and Spain scheduled to begin on July 1, 2022, the Indian women's hockey core group is currently in a preparation camp at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru are in a competitive mood.

Having a strong pool of players who have performed well at the recently held home games of FIH Pro League as well as outstanding performers in the Women's Junior World Cup being called up for the Senior camp, there is an air of healthy competition within the group.

"There is a lot of excitement in the camp and players are giving their 100 per cent in training. With new players coming into the group by virtue of good performances in the Pro League and Junior World Cup, there is healthy competition within the group and this is helping in bringing out the best in each one of us," said India's goalkeeper Savita Punia in a statement.

"With more players getting international exposure, and having gained the confidence to play top teams in big-match scenarios, we are heading in the right direction of building a strong team for the all-important World Cup," she added.

The Indian women's team is grouped in Pool B where they will take on England, China, and New Zealand in their World Cup campaign with the first match scheduled for July 3 with England in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

Ahead of the prestigious quadrennial event, the Indian team will also play the FIH Pro League matches in Belgium where they take on the home team on June 11, and 12 followed by weekend matches in the Netherlands where they take on Argentina on June 18 and 19, the United States on June 21 and 22.

"There is a lot of hockey we will be playing in the weeks leading up to the World Cup, so there is a lot of emphasis on our fitness during this camp and we are also paying attention to the post-match recovery process," stated Savita.

"With just 50 Days to go for the World Cup and less than a month to go before the group leaves for the Pro League, there is certainly a lot of excitement. The Pro League matches in Belgium and Netherlands will not only provide us a good base for the World Cup campaign but it will also help us get acclimatize to the conditions there. We made it to the quarterfinals last time in London, and the aim this time is definitely to make it to the next level," she added.