Sushila led Indian hockey team bounds for Germany
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 14 2013:
An 18-member Indian women hockey team led by Sushila Chanu as Captain has bound for Germany to participate in the FIH Junior Women's World Cup to be held in Monchengladbach, Germany from July 27 to August 4 .
Along with Sushila, three other key players from the state namely defender Pinky Devi; mid-fielder Lily Chanu and goalkeeper Sanarik Chanu are also in the squad.
It may be noted that in the history of India women hockey, Sushila is the first Manipuri woman to become the captain of the Indian's women hockey team
On basis of their performances in the recent international tour and fitness in the preparatory camps, a selection committee consisting B P Govinda, Savitri Purty, Hockey India selectors; Neil Hawgood, Chief Coach of senior women's team; Narinder Saini, junior women's Coach; Matt Tredrea, scientific Advisor and Harbinder Singh, Government Observer selected the squad along with nine standby players.
The team also appointed forward player Rani as Vice-Captain of the Indian team.
In the championship, team India, which is in group 'C' would clash with New Zealand, Australia and Russia.
The opening match of India would take on with Australia on July 27 .
On July 28, Indian team would meet New Zealand and with Russia on July 30, all at the two pitches of the Warsteiner Hockey Park, Monchengaladbach.
Ahead of the World Cup, India will be playing four warm-up games; first warm-up game against Belgium on July 17 followed by matches against Netherlands on July 19 and South Africa on July 21 and July 24 .
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sanarik Chanu, Bigan Soy.
Defenders: Pinky Devi, Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Manjit Kaur, M N Poonamma, Sushila Chanu (captain), Monika.
Mid-fielders: Lily Chanu, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Vandana Kataria, Ritusha Arya.
Forwards: Poonam Rani, Rani (vice-captain), Anupa Barla, Navneet Kaur.
Standby: Sukhmani Virk (goalkeeper), Manmeet Kaur (defender), Kiran Dahiya (defender), Sushila Lakra (defender), Renuka Yadav (mid-fielder), Nikki Pradhan (mid-fielder), Jaswinder Kaur (forward), Neha Goyal (forward), Punam Barla (forward) .