Mukesh, Dhanraj, Sabu in
Sita Gossain, Manjinder stays
29 probables for Afro-Asian Games preparatory camp have been announced by the Indian Hockey Federation. All expected seniors who were recalled for the recent Sultan Azlan competition and Dhanraj Pillay who missed it, are in the list. Md. Riaz dropped in the aftemath of Sydney Olympics, too find a place.
The complete list: Goalkeepers: Jude Menezes, Baljit Singh, Kamaldeep, Fullbacks: Dilip Tirkey, Lajrus Barla, Anurag Raghuvanshi, Dinesh Nayak, Kushmeet Singh, Aftab Ahmed, Half-backs: Thirumalvalavan, Radhakrishnan, Baljit Singh Saini, Paramjit Singh, Natarajan, Md. Riaz, Harmik Singh, Forwards:Baljit Dhillon, Daljit Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Sameer Dad, Dhanraj Pillay, Sabu Varkey, Amar Ayamma, Chanderpal, Baljit Chandi, Paramjit Singh, Anup Antony, Gurdeep Singh, Mahipal Singh.
While the Indian Hockey Federation seems to veer around experienced players, the women’s federation prefers to go the other way. IWHF has released the 18-member for the coming World Cup Qualifier that includes many raw hands, new faces and colts.
Kanti Baa is drafted into the team, ignoring the claim of experienced hand such as Mariestalla Tirkey. Former captain Pritamrani Siwach has made her claim strongly, but was surprisingly ignored.
The World Cup Qualifier(women) team: Tingonleima Chanu, Helen Mary, Amandeep Kaur, Kanti Baa, Suman Bala, Agnacia Lugun, Sita Gossain, Sumrai Tete, Masira Surin, Surajlata Devi, Neha Singh, Manjinder Kaur, Sanggai Ibemhal Chanu, Jyothi Sunita Kullu, Pakpi Devi, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab and Adline Kerketta.