SAI felicitates junior women’s team members
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Monday felicitated members of the Indian junior women’s hockey team, which bagged the silver medal in the recently-concluded Asia Cup in Bangkok.
India, which had finished with a bronze medal in the previous edition of the event in 2008, lost to China 2-5 in the final. However, the Indian side had the satisfaction of qualifying for the FIH junior women’s World Cup to be held next year.
The coach of the team, N.S. Saini, said that despite their limitations the girls played well. “We had problems in scoring, releasing the ball in pressure situations and penalty corner. But, there are some talented players who will grow in their career,” said Saini. Players like captain Ritu Rani, Poonam Rani, Sushila Chanu and Nikki Pradhan performed well, he added.
More exposure
Saini said the junior girls needed more exposure against foreign teams.
The assistant coach of the team, Pritam Siwach, said the rain interruption hampered India’s chances in the final as the team frittered away a 2-0 lead to end up as the runner-up. “After the rains, running on the turf became difficult and the stronger Chinese players had a distinct advantage over us,” said Pritam, who advocated a structured training programme for the junior players.
Ritu, also a regular member of the senior side, said the team was outpaced by China, which beat India twice with an identical margin of 2-5 during the competition. “There was some inexperience. But rain in the final was a setback.”
Ritu said the three-month camp preceding the event was too long. “A shorter camp would have been better for us.”
SAI Director General-in-charge and Secretary Gopal Krishna hailed the girls’ effort. “Keep doing the good work and all kinds of help will be provided to you,” he said.
Krishna informed that the SAI would lay astro-turfs at its training centres in Bangalore and Bhopal.