The FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 for women is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
The Indian Women's Hockey Team is gearing up to kick off their campaign at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 season. Captain Savita will lead the squad, with Vandana Katariya will serve as her deputy. Five national teams – India, China, the United States of America, the Netherlands, and Australia – will participate in the India leg of the FIH Pro League 2023/24 season.
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The FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24 for the women is scheduled to be held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from February 3 to 9, followed by the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, where the league will continue from February 12 to 18.
India's opening match will be against reigning Asian Games Champions China, followed by clashes with the Netherlands and Australia, before concluding their fixtures against the United States.
Team India's schedule:
India vs China - February 3
India vs Netherlands - February 4
India vs Australia - February 7
India vs UAS - February 9
This is the 2nd time the Indian women's team is competing in the FIH Hockey Pro League. Their first appearance was during the 2021/22 season, where they finished third. Last year, India defeated Spain 1-0 in the Final of the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup Spain 2022 to secure their spot in the FIH Pro League 2023/24.
Hockey India also named a 24-member squad for the Women's FIH Pro League 2023-24:
Goalkeepers: Savita (C), Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri
Mid-fielders: Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Sonika, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Sunelita Toppo
Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Beauty Dungdung, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika.
Speaking on the importance of the FIH Hockey Pro League, Indian women's coach Janneke Schopman said, "As the team continues to improve it is imperative that we give our best in the FIH Pro League and use this opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the world.
"The FIH Pro League will be a great platform for some of the youngsters in the squad to acquaint themselves with the demands of international hockey and further hone their skills. This season we will also have the chance to secure qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, so the team is prepared to give it their all from the first match," she said.
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