Many youngsters who have been sidelined from national camps for one reason or other, strictly other than merit, essentially because they played in the World Series Hockey, have thankfully been recalled for the forthcoming junior camp.
Most heartening is the return of Devinder Walmiki, who played stellar role in the inaugural Johor Cup and the same team’s goalkeeper Harmanpreet Singh.
Returning from the same junior India team is froward Ramandeep Singh.
About ten sidelined players have been asked to report at Bangalore, where the junior camp starts on first of April
It was indeed really surprising that while two other Walmikis – elder brother Yuvraj Walmiki and cousin Anup Walmiki — are in the Hockey India scheme of things, Devinder was not considered for India camp despite being his proven all round capabilities. The wilful mistake by the authorities have largely been rectified now.
Harmanpreet Singh was the main goalie of Johor Cup 2011, played all matches except the first and last where Naveeen was deployed.
Need for bigger goalie pool, and absence of proven goalie in the junior side — coach Micheal Nobbs did not play Sushant Tirkey in the recent Azlan Shah Cup – seemed to have prompted recall of Harmanpreet, who is a student.
Others who have been recalled included sensational forward Affan Yousaff from Mumbai, who is now playing for the Indian Oil Corporation on stipend basis. He is also a student, playing in the inter-university circle.
This site, in its official facebook page
(“https://www.facebook.com/IndianHockey.Stick2Hockey”) broke the news of induction of WSH players after the Azlan Shah Cup, quoting a high official. This news proved correct right now.
This site also emphasized the need for recall of youngsters in its latest article last week after making detailed analysis of how inherent deficiencies of Hockey India League failed to produce any new talent.