Netherlands tour: Hockey India announces 20-member sub-junior men, women squads

On Monday, Hockey India revealed the 20-member squads for sub-junior men and women who are set to embark on a tour of the Netherlands from October 9 to October 16. This historic tour marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time that the Indian Sub Junior Men and Women’s Teams will be participating in international matches. It stands as a testament to the burgeoning talent and potential of Indian hockey at the grassroots level, further enhancing the country’s reputation on the global hockey stage.

During this tour, the Indian Sub Junior Men’s Team will be facing off against the Netherlands Boys U18 team and the Netherlands Boys U16 team, with two games scheduled against each of these opponents, as detailed in a press release from Hockey India.

Conversely, the Indian Sub Junior Women’s Team will be competing against the Netherlands Girls U18 team and the Netherlands Girls U16 team, also engaging in two matches against each of these adversaries.

Furthermore, as part of the tour itinerary, the Indian Sub Junior Men and Women’s Teams will have the opportunity to play matches against the Men and Women’s teams of a senior club in the Netherlands.

It’s worth noting that the Indian Sub Junior Men’s team will be under the captaincy of Manmeet Singh Rai, with Aashu Maurya serving as the Vice Captain. On the other hand, for the Indian Sub Junior Women’s Team, Bhavya has been appointed as the Captain, while Rajni Kerketta will assume the role of Vice Captain.

Meanwhile, the coaches of the Sub Junior Men and Women’s Teams have expressed their excitement and anticipation for this upcoming tour. The teams are as follows:

Sub Junior Men’s Squad

• Goal-Keeper: Rahul Bhardwaj
• Defenders: Rohit Kullu, Pradip Mandal, Sohil Ali, Ujjwal Pal, Sukh Manpreet Singh, Aashu Maurya (Vice Captain), Neeraj
• Midfielders: Rahul Yadav, Rohit Tirkey, Suresh Sharma Adhikarimayum, Manmeet Singh Rai (Captain), Rahul Rajbhar, Ghuran Lohra
• Forwards: Ritender Singh, Deepak Pradhan, Ajeet Yadav, Ketan Kushwaha, Rohit Irengbam Singh, Srijan Yadav

Sub-Junior Women’s Squad

• Goal-Keepers: Hodam Pabitra Devi, Tarra Sailaja
• Defenders: Bhavya (Captain), Komal Pal, Parwati Topno, Ritika Ahirwar
• Midfielders: Rajni Kerketta (Vice Captain), Tamanna, Karuna Minz, Priyanka, Tanuja Toppo, Kajal Pundir, Kirti
• Forwards: Krishna Sharma, Kajal, Purnima Yadav, Switi Dungdung, Doli Bhoi, Nisha Dadel, Ravina.