Pune Strykers hockey team unveiled
The hockey team for the World Series Hockey (WSH) – Pune Strykers – was unveiled on Saturday at the SGS Mall. The WSH, which is a tournament conceived by Hockey India, aims to boost the popularity of the national sport in the country. The Pune Strykers team is one of the eight teams that will be playing in the event beginning on February 29.
The first match of the Pune Strykers will be against the Mumbai Marines on March 1. The team is owned by Sai Grace Sports and Events Pvt Ltd. The owner of the team, Manoj Choudhary, said, “The team is looking very good and since this is the first time the tournament is being conducted, all the teams in the tournament have a good chance of going till the end.”
Three foreign players have been drafted into the squad. Kenny Pereira of Canada will be leading the side with Mario Nicolas Almada of Argentina and Lungile Tsokile of South Africa joining the ranks of the squad. The team will be coached by Gundeep Singh and Mervyn Fernandes will be the manager of the squad. “There are a few issues that have to be sorted out as our player Diwakar Ram has injured his left hand. We will be playing two practice matches on February 24 and 25 and will play our first away game at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium in Mumbai,” said Fernandes. The Pune Strykers home matches will be played at Major Dhyanchand Polygrass Stadium in Pimpri-Chinchwad.