Players from Jharkhand who are members of the Indian hockey squad, Salima Tete, Nikki Pradhan, and Sangita Kumari, have all expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023, which will begin in just one week.
India will compete in the competition against Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand from October 27 to November 5.
Savita will serve as the team’s captain while Deep Grace Ekka will serve as her assistant. On October 27, India will play Thailand in the tournament’s first round.
Sangita, a forward for India, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to play in Ranchi once again for the important competition, adding, “I participated in my first tournament in Ranchi when I was in the U-14 squad, and we won the Bronze medal for Hockey Jharkhand. Later, I participated here at the Sub Junior level as well.
But this would be my first time taking part in such a significant international competition in Ranchi. Sangita was reported by the Hockey India website as saying, “I can’t wait to walk out in front of the home supporters, who will be out in full force to express their support.
Sangita is pleased with the development of hockey in the state and has great recollections of playing games there when she was younger. There weren’t many amenities in the hostel when I got there. Only a few players have previously emerged from the state. But Jharkhand now has a sizable representation on the national team.
“This location has all necessary facility, including hockey fields and gear. Hockey India and the Jharkhand government have put out a lot of effort over the years to assure the sport’s expansion in the region.
India’s next encounter is against Malaysia on October 28 after their first contest with Thailand. On October 30, India will play China in their third game, and on October 31, they will play Japan.
India will face Korea in their last group match on November 2. The tournament’s Semi-Finals and Final will take place on November 4 and 5, respectively.
The competition, according to defender Nikki, who has more than 150 international caps for India, would benefit the state’s young athletes.
“I am pleased that such a prominent competition will be held in Ranchi thanks to the decision of Hockey India and the Jharkhand government. This competition will help the sport of hockey continue to thrive across the state. Our state’s top hockey players will soon become well-known around the country. This event will teach our young players in the state a lot as well, she remarked.
Nikki also said that her family members are excited to see international hockey in Ranchi, and she anticipates them to fill the stadiums once the competition starts.
“An international competition of this kind will be played here in Ranchi for the first time. Everyone in my family, including my relatives and friends, is really enthusiastic and keeps phoning me to ask when the matches will start. They will all undoubtedly be a part of the crowd, I’m sure of it. Although I am a little anxious, I am also quite eager to perform for my loved ones.
The Women’s Asian Champions Trophy will be in its eighth year. The Indian team won the championship in 2016 and came in second place in 2018. The team’s goal is to maintain its strong performance and place third.
Salima, a midfielder, said that the Indian squad would profit from having experience playing in Ranchi’s circumstances. Our squad has three players who all grew up playing hockey in Jharkhand and are familiar with Ranchi’s environment and weather.
Many of us have participated in many local domestic competitions, so we are confident in our ability to adapt to the situation quickly and make the changes that will give us an edge in the competition.
Salima, who is from the Simdega area, said that she intends to give it her all throughout the competition to support her team in winning the Gold medal. “The competition is a terrific opportunity for us to be ready for the Olympic Qualifications in Paris in 2024. Before the important matches in January, we as a squad aim to strengthen certain areas so that I can give my all throughout the competition.
We need to win the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023 if we’re going to keep improving as a team, Salima said.