New Delhi, 22  November: Hockey India has on Tuesday shortlisted 34-players for the Senior Women’s National Coaching Camp, scheduled to take place from 22nd November to 10th December at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.

The camp is in preparation the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia will take place between 15th December 2023 to 22nd December . apart from India, other teams taking part in this tournament are Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and hosts Spain.

It is a key tournament for  India ahead of the all-important FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024 set to begin from 13th January .

Chief Coach Janneke Schopman opined that, "We have been in good form over the past couple of months, with the Bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Gold medal in the Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi . But it is important for us to continue to maintain our momentum and ensure we remain in the right frame of mind going into important competitions next year. 

"Our sights are set on the Paris Olympics and to ensure a spot, we have to perform well at the Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi . The five-nation tournament is a good chance for us to test ourselves against European teams and also plan our strategies and make modifications as and when needed. The National Coaching Camp will allow us to regroup once again and work on the areas where we still need to and provide us with a roadmap to ensure we achieve our immediate goals." she added.

The players feel confident as they return to camp after a dominating performance at the Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi   earlier this month. India claimed the Gold medal defeating Japan 4-0 in the Final. India also remained unbeaten in the tournament that also saw participation from China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The core group includes goalkeepers Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki, while Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary form the group of defenders.

Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljeet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, and Ajmina Kujur are the midfielders called up for the camp, while Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, and Beauty Dungdung form the forwards line-up.