Midfielder Salima Tete of Jharkhand has been named captain of India's 24-member women's hockey team for the Belgium and England leg of the FIH Pro League to be held later this month, replacing experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia. Hockey India announced this on Thursday. 

Also Read: Indian Hockey team's schedule for Olympics 2024

At the same time, midfielder Navneet Kaur has been made the vice-captain of the team. She replaced Vandana Katariya to take the charge. 

Belgium stage will start from May 22

The matches in Belgium will be held from 22 to 26 May and in England from 1 to 9 June. India will face Argentina and Belgium twice in the first leg. The team will play Britain and Germany in the London phase. India is currently ranked sixth in the Pro League table with eight points from eight matches.

All matches of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 will be streamed on JioCinema, additionally, all India matches will be telecast live on Sports18 - Khel.

Salima Tete recently received Balbir Singh Sr. Award

Salima Tete made her debut in the national team in 2017 against Belarus. India won the silver medal in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games under the captaincy of Salima. In 2021, she was part of the Indian Olympic team. Salima recently received the Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year (Women) at the 6th Hockey India Annual Awards.

India failed to book spot in Paris Games under Savita's captaincy

Savita Punia was the captain of the Indian team during the Olympic qualifiers and subsequent Pro League matches. The Indian women's hockey team is going through a period of transition after failing to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics 2024. It also turned out to be a disappointing result for the team as it had finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics after a loss at the hands of Great Britain in the Bronze medal match.

Notably, four players from Jharkhand have been selected for the Indian team. Which includes Nikki Pradhan, Salima Tete, Sangita Kumari and Deepika Soreng. Savita and Bichu Devi Kharibam will be in charge of goalkeeping, while Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima will form the defense.

Also Read: What is the history of hockey in India?

Indian Squad: 

Goalkeepers

• Savita
• Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders 

• Nikki Pradhan
• Udita
• Ishika Chaudhary
• Monika
• Jyoti Chhatri
• Mahima Chaudhary

Midfielders

• Salima Tete (C)
• Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke
• Navneet Kaur (VC)
• Neha
• Jyoti
• Baljeet Kaur
• Manisha Chauhan
• Lalremsiami

Forwards

• Mumtaz Khan
• Sangita Kumari
• Deepika
• Sharmila Devi
• Preeti Dubey
• Vandana Katariya
• Sunelita Toppo
• Deepika Soreng

The most anticipated Hockey India League auction will start today, October 13th, at New Delhi and will continue till October 15th. More than 1,000 players have registered for the auction. This includes more than 400 domestic players. and over 150 international players. Apart from the playing hockey players in India, retired stalwarts like Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra.

The women's league has more than 250 domestic players and 70+ overseas players registered for the tournament.

Earlier, Hockey India had already mentioned the limited venues assigned for the tournament. These are: Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Ranchi will host all the women's matches while the men's matches will take place in Rourkela.

Read Also: Hockey India League back after 7 years: All you need to know about it 

The Team Basics

Irespective of the men's and women's teams, each team can have a maximum of 24 players. Each team cannot bag more than 8 overseas players and should have 24 indigenous players that include at least 4 juniors.

How many teams will play the tournament?

The men's league will play 8 teams this year. The inaugural women's league will play 6 teams. The franchises that have confirmed their investment are: 

• Charles Group, 
• Yadu Sports,
• JSW Sports,
• Shrachi Sports, 
• SG Sports and Entertainment,
• Vedanta Limited,
• Resolute Sports,
• Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

Purse details:

Each of the eight men's team will have a budget of 4 crores, while the women's tean will have 2 crore for the procedure.

As per the auction procedure, there is no upper limit of expenditure on a particular player, but accumulating the required number of players must be done within the purse.

Base price:

Three categories have been induced according to the ranks of each player: Rs 2 lakh (for juniors), Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.

Where to watch the auction?

Hockey India League has initiated their own Hockey India League Youtube channel where they will live stream the entire lauction procedure.

Other than that, DD Sports will broadcast the auction live, from Sunday.

On the first day, ie, 13th October, the auction will start from 2 pm. On the next two days, the auction procedure will commence on and from 9:30 am. in the morning.

Hockey India on Saturday announced the 33-member Indian women's hockey team for the national coaching camp to be held from September 15 to October 9. This camp will be held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus in Bengaluru.

Also Read: Asian Champions Trophy 2024: India beats Pakistan 2-1; qualifies for semis after fifth consecutive win

The camp will be the beginning of the team's preparation for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 to be played at the newly constructed Rajgir Stadium in Bihar from 11 to 20 November. This prestigious tournament, a joint initiative between Hockey India and the Bihar Government.

India last played in FIH Hockey Pro League

The Indian Women's Hockey Team last participated in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 season in which they faced teams like Argentina, Belgium, Germany and Britain. Under the leadership of captain Salima Tete and vice-captain Navneet Kaur and the guidance of Harendra Singh, the team had performed brilliantly throughout the tournament.

The Indian Women's Hockey squad shortlisted for the camp includes goalkeepers Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo. The defenders selected are Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Choudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, and Preeti.

Also Read: "The way I wanted is start with the juniors, and Rahul Dravid is an example," PR Sreejesh reveals his coaching roadmap aiming for the 2036 Olympics

In the midfield, the team features Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, and Ajmina Kujur. Also, the forward line includes Sunelita Toppo, Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. 

'This camp will allow us to refine our strategies'

Indian Women's Hockey Team head coach, Harendra Singh said, "The upcoming National Women’s Coaching Camp is a crucial step in our preparations for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy. This camp will allow us to refine our strategies, work on specific areas that need improvement, and build on the strengths we displayed during the FIH Pro League. With the Asian Champions Trophy being held in Rajgir for the first time, it is a unique opportunity for our team to perform at their best on home soil. We are focused on enhancing our skills, fitness, and teamwork, and this camp will lay the foundation for a successful tournament." 

Also Read: Hockey India decides to retire jersey No. 16 in honor of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

33-member squad ahead of Asian Champions Trophy 2024

Goalkeepers

• Savita                  
• Bichu Devi Kharibam                     
• Bansari Solanki                 
• Madhuri Kindo                   
• Defenders
• Nikki Pradhan                   
• Udita                   
• Ishika Chaudhary                            
• Monika                
• Ropni Kumari                    
• Mahima Choudhary                       
• Jyoti Chhatri                      
• Preeti

Midfielders

• Salima Tete                       
• Marina Lalramnghaki                    
• Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke               
• Neha                   
• Jyoti                     
• Edula Jyoti                         
• Baljeet Kaur                      
• Manisha Chauhan                          
• Akshata Abaso Dhekale                
• Ajmina Kujur   

Forwards

• Sunelita Toppo
• Mumtaz Khan                   
• Lalremsiami                      
• Sangita Kumari                 
• Deepika                             
• Sharmila Devi                   
• Navneet Kaur                   
• Deepika Soreng                
• Preeti Dubey      
• Vandana Katariya
• Rutuja Dadaso Pisal

Hockey India League (HIL) will reportedly make a comeback after eight years and is pencilled in for a December start. The Hockey India League 2024-2025 edition will feature Men’s and Women’s Teams and hockey players from across the nation are invited to register themselves on or before 30th June 2024. 

Also Read: R K Roy Academy joins Hockey India family as new Academy member

Hockey India has been given the all-clear to re-launch the Hockey India League featuring both men and women from 28 December to 1 February. The league will be played in a home-and-away format.

HIL was played between 2013 and 2017 before

HIL, similar to other franchise-based competitions in the country, was played between 2013 and 2017 before folding. The upcoming HIL will reportedly have eight men’s teams and six women’s teams. Each team will have separate owners. The player auction will take place after the Paris Olympics 2024 in July-August. 

The league, then featuring only men’s teams, was halted in 2017 due to financial issues.

Hockey India invited players from top 15 hockey-playing nations

This is the first time in the history of the sport that an exclusive women’s Hockey India League will be hosted simultaneously. 

Additionally, Hockey India has also invited players from the top 15 hockey-playing nations to register their players and support staff for the upcoming season which will be held in the window sanctioned by FIH; the last week of December 2024 to the first week of February 2025.

'This step signifies that we are close to restarting the HIL'

Commenting on the occasion Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “We are elated to open the player registration for the Hockey India League 2024-2025 edition. This step signifies that we are close to restarting the HIL, a league that was loved by hockey players and fans across the world. We are confident that budding Indian hockey players will snatch at the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players in the world.”

Also Read: Fantasy Hockey League? Should You Join One?

'The league will help improve the standard of young players'

Hockey India on Monday announced the 33-member women's hockey team for the national camp ahead of the FIH Pro League fixtures. This team will now continue training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Bengaluru till May 16. 

Also Read: India at Olympics: India's medals at the Olympics by sports

This 33-member women's Indian hockey team will be in the race to form the team that will participate in future coaching camps and international tours. The Indian women's hockey team is also set to travel to Antwerp and London to face Argentina, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain in the FIH Pro League 2023/24 later this year. 

Expressing his expectations from the new core group, Herman Kruis, High Performance Director, Hockey India, said, “The 14th Senior Women’s National Championship was used to filter out the best hockey players from across the country, and over the last week the coaches and selectors have further handpicked the 33 players they believe have the potential to propel the Indian women’s hockey team to greater heights,”

Hockey India had promised a revamped national camp after the team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024, a big step backwards after the historic fourth-place finish in the Tokyo Olympics.

Goalkeeper Savita Punia will lead the group. The most notable new additions in the camp were 22-year-old Marina Lalramnghaki, who represented Mizoram, and the 25-year-old Manisha Chauhan, who represented Manipur, in the nationals. 

Also Read: From Abhinav Brinda to PV Sindhu: Every First for India at Olympics

33-member core probables:

Goalkeepers

• Savita Punia
• Bichu Devi Kharibam
• Bansari Solanki
• Madhuri Kindo

Defenders

• Nikki Pradhan
• Udita
• Ishika Chaudhary
• Monika
• Ropni Kumari
• Mahima Chaudhary
• Jyoti Chhatri
• Preeti

Midfielders

• Salima Tete
• Marina Lalramnghaki
• Vaishnavi Phalke
• Neha
• Jyoti
• Edula Jyoti
• Baljeet Kaur
• Manisha Chauhan
• Akshata Abaso Dhekale
• Ajmina Kujur
• Nisha

Forwards

• Mumtaz Khan
• Lalremsiami
• Sangita Kumari
• Deepika
• Sharmila Devi
• Navneet Kaur
• Deepika Soreng
• Preeti Dubey
• Vandana Katariya
• Rutuja Dadaso Pisal

Indian women's hockey team head coach Janneke Schopman resigned from her post on Friday, days after creating a stir by claiming that she was not given respect and importance by the national federation. The Dutch coach replaced Sjoerd Marijne in 2021, who led the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.

Also Read: FIH Hockey Pro League: Indian Women's Hockey Team ends losing streak with victory over USA

The non-qualification led to much criticism of Schopman, who had taken over the reins from Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne after the team had finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, and the team. Schopman, a former Dutch hockey player, was then the analytical coach. Despite the setback, HI had initially decided to continue with Schopman but her outburst against HI last week after India's Pro League match against US in Rourkela showed that she was pretty much done with the job.

Janneke Schopman's contract was due to expire in August after this year's Paris Olympics, but following her recent critical comments it was expected that she would not continue in the post. The 46-year-old submitted his resignation to Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey after the team's campaign ended in the domestic leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Odisha.

"I would like to inform that I am tendering my resignation as the chief coach of the senior women's team by giving Hockey India and SAI one month notice as per my contract agreement. My last working day will be March 23, 2024," Janneke Schopman wrote in her resignation letter.

"My time with the team has been a memorable experience and I will always look back with a sense of gratitude to players and staff especially. I kindly request that all outstanding dues are paid and taken care of before this date, my salary for the months of February and March, the coach education fee as well as the outstanding prize money for last year,"

Hockey India issued a press release on the matter saying, "She made her intentions clear that she doesn't want to continue anymore. The letter has been forwarded to SAI with favourable recommendation,"

"The women's team not making it to the Paris Olympics was a big blow. Every facility, exposure was given to the team and to say that she was not valued and respected was totally baseless," the official added.

The Indian team has performed well under the guidance of Janneke Schopman. During this period the team won 38 out of 74 matches. Played 17 draws and had to face defeat in 19. Under her guidance, the team's best performance was the title win in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy. However, the biggest disappointment was the Indian women's hockey team not qualifying for the Paris Olympics.

Also Read: FIH Hockey Pro League: Indian Women's Hockey team faces third consecutive loss

HI, in a statement, said, "on the back of the disappointment at Olympic qualifiers, Schopman's resignation has paved the way for Hockey India to look for a suitable chief coach for the women's hockey team who could prepare the team for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."