Indians initiated in new format

Members of the Indian hockey team at the National camp here were on Friday introduced to the newly-created nine-on-nine format of the sport in their training sessions.

The format, conceived by Australian coach Ric Charlesworth, will be showcased before a global audience at its first tournament later this year. Dubbed the International Super Series, it will be held in the backdrop of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Perth in October.

Among the innovations, apart from nine-member teams, are halves of 15 minutes, requirements for a fixed number of players to remain in the attacking half at all times, and altered penalty corner rules.

Exercise phsiologist David John has received his visa, Nobbs informed, and is expected to join the camp on Sunday.