Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey announced on Wednesday that the upcoming women’s national championship, slated to commence from March 13 in Pune, will serve as a pivotal selection trial to identify a fresh group of core probables for the national team.
Scheduled from March 13 to 23, the national championship holds significant importance as the Indian women’s hockey team aims to revitalize its performance following a series of setbacks, including the recent disappointment of failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Tirkey expressed optimism about the championship, stating, “…we will have participation from 28 states and UTs, with members of the Indian team representing their respective states. Hockey India selectors will be closely watching the performances of all the players, and based on their recommendation, a new core group will be selected.”
Emphasizing the competitive nature of the selection process, Tirkey underscored that no player can afford to take their place for granted. With the national team currently without a coach following the resignation of Dutch-woman Janneke Schopman, Tirkey emphasized the need for every player to showcase their best performance to secure a spot in the core group.
Looking ahead, Tirkey outlined the long-term goals, stating, “We need to now focus on making the qualification for the FIH Women’s World Cup in 2026 and build towards the LA Olympics with optimism. There is plenty of talent in India, the National Championship is an important platform to identify new talent, and we need to further strengthen the domestic structure to bring them to the core.”
In addition, Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh revealed plans for the introduction of a domestic league dedicated to women’s hockey players. Singh highlighted the importance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level and providing aspiring players with opportunities to showcase their skills.
Singh stated, “We are putting our minds together to introduce a few new tournaments in the domestic calendar, particularly for the development of women’s hockey. …we are also working on starting a domestic league for women that could further give an opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talent and make their way into the national program.”
