Hockey India today announced a 16-member India women hockey squad for the Tokyo Olympics, which would take place from 23rd July to 6th August, 2021. But the announcement came as a shock for hockey fraternity of Odisha as only one player from Odisha _ Deep Grace Ekka _ was selected in the team.
With four women from Odisha _ Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Lilima Minz, Namita Toppo _ representing the country in the 2016 Rio Olympics, expectations were high that at least three would make the cut for the Tokyo Games. Though Sunita Ekka had retired, there was hope that Rashmita Minz would take her place in the Indian team.
But to everybodys surprise, Lilima, Namita and Rashmita were ignored despite giving their best in the National camp in Bengaluru. Government of Odisha being the jersey sponsors of the Indian hockey teams and having the credit to hosting of many major international events, including 2018 Mens World Cup, expectations of three Odisha players getting berths in the Indian women team were obviously high.
But by selecting only one player from Odisha, Hockey India has made it clear that providing sponsorship and staging international events have nothing to do with selection of players for the National team. However, many die-hard hockey lovers of Odisha are not willing to accept that the selection of players has been fair.
One such fan slammed Hockey India as “ungrateful”. He also blamed Odisha Government for providing huge amount of money to Hockey India. “We know, the State Government would not fight for the cause of our players. The is because the government and its top bureaucrats have been honoured with some awards,’’ he lamented.
Meanwhile, Hockey India described the 16-member squad as perfect balance between continuity from the Rio Olympics 2016 and adopting a fresh approach for Tokyo. Eight experienced veterans have been named in the squad, while eight new players have been handed the chance to make their Olympic debut for Team India.
Speaking on the team selection, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “This team has worked very hard over the last few years and has made progress consistently. There is a good mix of experienced players and new talent, which is excellent. We look forward to taking on the best in the world in Tokyo. This is a team with a lot of potential and drive which we hope to channelise to our best performance yet.”
The final squad includes eight stalwarts in Rani, Savita, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Navjot Kaur and Vandana Katariya; who have had the experience of representing India at the historic appearance of the Indian women team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after a gap of 36 years.
These eight players have amassed a mammoth total of 1,492 caps between them for Team India and will be tasked with leading the charge for Team India in their quest for Olympic glory.
This will be the third appearance for the Indian Women hockey team at the Olympic Games and their second consecutive outing, with previous appearances coming in 1980 and 2016. The Indian team has seen a steady rise over the past few years, clinching Olympic qualification for the second consecutive time on the back of their consistent performances in qualifying events.
Since Rio 2016, the team has experienced the highs of winning the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, 2017 Asia Cup, the Silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games and making it to the Quarter Finals of the 2018 Women World Cup for the first time in history.
The eight Olympic debutants include drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami - who is the first player hailing from Mizoram in the team and Salima Tete - who led the Indian team at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games at Buenos Aires to a silver medal performance, also joins the team destined for Tokyo.
INDIAN WOMEN TEAM: Goalkeeper: Savita (Vice-captain). Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (Vice-captain), Nikki Pradhan, Gurjit Kaur, Udita. Midfielders: Nisha, Neha Goyal, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Navjot Kaur, Salima Tete. Forwards: Rani (Captain), Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi.
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PHOTO: Indian women hockey team (L-R kneeling): Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lalremsiami, Sushila Chanu, Vandana Katariya, Salima Tete, Nisha, Deep Grace Ekka (L-R standing): Savita, Navjot, Gurjit, Rani, Navneet, Udita, Monika, Sharmila.