"Team is focused on a podium finish at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar," says India midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad

Having a regular match with the senior compititor in the same campus at SAI Centre, has helped the India Colts prepare for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup in Bhubaneswar. Vivek Sagar Prasad who isgoing to participate in the Junior Men World Cup stated that getting insights from seniors on playing under pressure has also helped the Colts.

"Our preparations are going really well and every player is giving his 100 per cent on the field during practice. Sharing the same campus as the senior team has been the biggest boon because we have been able to get a lot of match practice against them. We also spend a lot of time talking to the seniors about playing under pressure and then experiences they share is valuable," claimed Vivek as part of the Indian Junior Men's Core Probable's Group for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup.

Also read: SV Sunil, The Former India Striker Retires From International Hockey

The FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup is scheduled to begin on 24 November in the temple city of Bhubaneswar which boasts of world-class facilities at the Kalinga Stadium. Hosts and defending Champions India are grouped in pool B along with Canada, France and Poland. The other teams in the tournament fray include Belgium, Malaysia, South Africa and Chile in pool A, Netherlands, Spain, Korea and United States grouped in pool C while Germany, Argentina, Pakistan and Egypt in Pool D. 

Talking about the level of competition, Vivek said, "No doubt it will be a tough competition but we will continue to go by the mantra of taking one-match-at-a-time. Our first priority will be to top the group and make it to the quarter Finals."