Twice Sr. World Cup player Ritu to lead India in the Junior Asia Cup
When New Zealand’ established star Simon Child played in the last Junior World Cup in Singapore-Malaysia, the general opinion was that having established his name in the biggest of sporting arenas, namely the Olympics, Simon would have given space to any aspiring youngster, as junior events are places for grooming talent.
However, it is the decision of the national Federation to field him and it was fittingly accepted and respected.
That the countries increasingly taking even the junior events as a prestige one was evident from the above player’s inclusion, and fittingly the seeds of presently shining New Zealand team was sown in 2009 Jr World Cup.
If we have any doubt as to the National Federation’s use of junior events for medal winning, and thus accord more importance than the purpose for which the age category tournaments were conceived, now look at India.
Next Junior World Cup for women will be held in India, and the host India have qualified for it. When did India then go for the experienced players in the Bangkok sojourn?
It has put Ritu Rani, who had already figured in two senior world cup — in Madrid and Argentina — to lead the Challenge.
Obviously, India is looking for top honours in Bangkok to retrieve lost prestige after India failed to qualify for the Olympics, failing to beat South Africa in the final amidst much home support in March this year.
Ritu, a play maker par excellence, a female version of Sardar Singh, would relish the field and hopefully, with her at the helm of affairs, any medal less than the yellow will be considered poor performance.
India have been placed in Pool A along with China, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and hosts Thailand are in Pool B.
The Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sukhmani Virk and Bigan Soy
Defenders: Pinki Devi, Deep Grace Ekka, Manjeet Kaur Midfielders: P Sushila Chanu, Nikki Pradhan, Monika Malik, Namita Toppo, Kiran Dahiya, Ritu Rani Forwards: Poonam Rani, Vandana Katariya, Lilima Minz, Anupa Barla, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur (Sr) and M Lily Chanu. Standbys: Jaspreet Kaur (Goal Keeper), Apoorva Vishwakarma (Defender), Diksha Tiwari (Defender), Manmeet Kaur (Midfielder), Reena Rani (Midfielder), Neha Goel (Forward), Pooja Kundu (Forward), Surabhi Pradhan (Forward).