A 25-member Indian Women Hockey squad, featuring four from Odisha, today left for their tour of Argentina. This tour will be the first for the national side after almost a year. The squad, announced by Hockey India, will be captained by forward Rani Rampal with goalkeeper Savita as her deputy. The four Odisha players are: Deep Grace Ekka, Rashmita Minz, Lilima Minz and Namita Toppo.

The Indian team is scheduled to play two matches against Argentina Junior Women on 17 and 19 January, two matches against Argentina B on 22 and 24 January, and four matches against Argentina on 26, 28, 30 and 31 January.

Hockey India and the host National Association have created a bio bubble in Argentina for both the Argentine and Indian teams. The Indian Women Team will be staying in a hotel where a provision to have separate rooms/halls for the team for all the meals, team meetings, sessions etc have been made.

The entire Indian contingent underwent a Covid-19 RT-PCR Test 72 hours prior to their departure from New Delhi, India. Though there is no requirement of quarantine upon arrival in Argentina, the team will still be following all safety and health measures as advised by the respective Governments of India & Argentina. Further, the teams will also be following the Hockey India SOPs as available on the Hockey India website.

INDIAN WOMEN HOCKEY SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: 1. Savita (Vice-captain), Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam. Defenders: Gurjit Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Rashmita Minz, Manpreet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Salima Tete, Nisha. Mid-fielders: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Namita Toppo, Monika, Nikki Pradhan. Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur, Jyoti, Udita, Rajwinder Kaur, Rani Rampal (Captain), Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi.
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PHOTO: Odisha quartet of the Indian women hockey squad (L to R) _ Lilima Minz, Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo and Rashmita Minz pose in Delhi before leaving for Argentina tour on 3 January, 2021.