Three-day selection trials begin at SAI

The National hockey camp at the Sports Authority of India’s South Centre hit the business end on Wednesday with Hockey India selectors kick-starting the three-day trials.

Hockey India selectors BP Govinda, Balbir Singh and AB Subbaiah will streamline the 90-odd probables to 48 by Friday evening following which the camp is expected to get a lot more intense.

Nearly 60 players — mostly juniors and second tier players — were divided into four teams and clashed against each other in the two matches, with the selectors — accompanied by government observer and former Indian captain Dilip Tirkey — keeping a keen eye on the proceedings.

“The selection trials will wrap up by Friday,” said Hockey India Executive Director Anupam Gulati.

“The intention is to reduce the number to 48. We could have five or six sessions and the players will be judged on various factors.

“The core group of 48 will then continue to train at Sports Authority of India while the remaining will fly back to their respective homes.

“We are planning to have a development team as well but their training venue and schedule is yet to be decided. We have the Junior Nationals coming up in August at Ranchi where some of them will be competing for their respective states.”

The trials were also watched by new coach Michael Nobbs, exercise physiologist David John and assistant coaches SS Grewal, Baljit Singh Saini, Clarence Lobo, Jugraj Singh, Mohd Riaz and BJ Cariappa.

The camp kicked off in the first week of this month.