Four Jharkhand hockey players in national team for FIH Cup in Spain

GUMLA: Four women hockey players belonging to Jharkhand - Nikki Pradhan from Khunti, besides Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari, and Beauty Dungdung from Simdega - have been named part of the Indian squad for the Women's FIH Hockey Nations Cup-2022 scheduled in Spain from December 11 to 17.
Hockey India on Wednesday night announced a 20-member squad, comprising defender Nikki, midfielder Salima, and forwards Sangita and Beauty. Out of the four, this will be Beauty's debut in the senior national side.
Nikki, who hails from Hesal village in Khunti, was the first woman Olympian from Jharkhand at the 2016 Rio de Jenerio games. She was also part of the historic feat at Tokyo Olympics, where the Indian women team finished fourth.
A resident of Badkichhaper village in Simdega, Salima had captained Youth Olympics in Argentina in 2018 and was also part of Indian team for Tokyo Olympic Games. She had led the Indian team in Junior Women's World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa in 2022.
Sangita of Karangagudi village in Simdega, who had made her senior debut during FIH Hockey Women's Pro League 2021/22 against Spain, was part of the national squad at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup in 2022.
Beauty, who is also a native of Karangagudi, has been elevated to the senior teams due to her striking skills that she displayed at the Junior Women World Cup. She was adjudged as the 'Player of the tournament' at Uniphar U-23 Five Nations Tournament held in Dublin, Ireland, earlier this year.
Bholanath Singh, the Jharkhand hockey team president and Hockey India general secretary said, "All these players have been named in the squad due to their talents."