FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024: Savita Punia to lead Indian women’s team in Ranchi - full squad
Three nations can qualify for the Paris Summer Games from the eight-nation tournament to be held in the state of Jharkhand from January 13 to 19.
Hockey
Hockey India, on Saturday, named an 18-member Indian women’s hockey team for the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 scheduled in Ranchi, Jharkhand from January 13 to 19.
The top three teams in the eight-team hockey competition will secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, to be held in July-August.
Goalkeeper Savita Punia, who recently won her third consecutive FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award, will serve as the captain of the Indian women’s hockey team for the Paris 2024 qualifying tournament.
Meanwhile, veteran forward Vandana Katariya, who recently became the first woman to earn 300 caps for the Indian national hockey team, has been named vice-captain.
"The FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 in Ranchi is an important tournament on our Paris Olympics journey,” Indian women’s hockey team chief coach Janneke Schopman said. “It is imperative that we live up to expectations and all the players in the squad are working to secure qualification.
“After careful consideration, we have chosen a well-balanced team with immense skill and experience in all departments,” Schopman pointed out. “Savita and Vandana have faced high-pressure situations numerous times in their career so far, they are well equipped to guide the rest of the team as the captain and vice-captain.”
The women’s hockey Olympic qualifiers in Ranchi will be an eight-nation tournament.
India have been placed in Pool B, along with New Zealand, Italy and the United States while Germany, Japan, Chile and the Czech Republic make up Pool A.
After the round-robin matches in the group stage, the top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals. The finalists will be assured of a top-two finish and thereby, qualify for next year’s Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, the losing semi-finalists will play the bronze medal match, with the winner also securing their ticket to Paris 2024.
India will open their campaign in Pool B against the USA on January 13. Savita Punia and Co. will face off against New Zealand and Italy on January 14 and 16, respectively.
The Indian men’s hockey team, who won the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Indian women’s hockey team for FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 Ranchi
- Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam
- Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika
- Midfielders: Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Sonika, Jyoti, Beauty Dungdung
- Forwards: Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Katariya (vice-captain)