Women’s hockey team leaves for World Cup sans Mamta

Ravi Dhaliwal

Indian women’s hockey team left the NIS today for their World Cup hunt without the services of their ace striker Mamta Kharab.

A veteran of 164 internationals, Mamta has been known to instil fear in her opponents due to her striking abilities. The Indian team will feel her absence as she has sustained a knee injury and is undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme under the guidance of Mumbai based renowned sports medicine expert Ananth Joshi. Hockey India has selected an 18 member team that will take part in the Women’s World Cup slated to be held at Rosaria (Argentina) from August 29 to September 11.

Surinder Kaur, known for her superb ball control and dribbling skills, will lead the team. The Indian’s have qualified by virtue of being placed second in the Asia cup and have been grouped in pool A with fancied opponents like Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Japan and New Zealand. Pool B comprises hosts Argentina, China, Spain, England, Korea and South Africa. India will play Netherlands in what will be the first match of the tournament on August 30. The team is being coached by Pritam Rani Thakran, who, during her playing days was hailed as the Dhanraj Pillay of women’s hockey due to her dazzling skills in the striking circle.

Speaking to TNS, Thakran said that the team had the necessary experience and expertise to make it to the last four stage. However, in the same breath she added that it would be a momentous task for the team to beat the Dutch in the lung opener.“Our strong point is playing the set pieces and emphasis during the Patiala camp was on taking indirect penalty corners,” said Thakran.

Thakran, a veteran of more than 300 international matches, said the absence of ace striker Mamta Kharab was worrisome. “ She would have been an asset to us. The girls, who have to play 6 matches in 10 days, could have rallied around her as she has tonnes of experience. Mamta’s resilience is well known in international hockey and her dribbling skills could have held the team in good stead,” said Thakran. Mamta is also known as the ‘golden girl’ of Indian hockey for the goal she brilliantly planned and executed against England in the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth games which gave the Indians the gold medal after a wait of 32 years.

Mamta, an Arjuna Awardee, said she hoped to be fit by the time of the Commonwealth Games in October. “I am on a rehabilitation programme charted out by Dr Anant Joshi. I am not allowed to play on the astro-turf but by the time the Commonwealth games are around the corner, I hope to be fully fit,” she added.

The team : Surinder Kaur (Captain), Dipika Murti, E.Rajni, Binita Toppo, Subadhra, Joy Deep, Reetu Rani, M.Barla, Kirandeep Kaur, Dipika Thakur, Saba Anjum, Rani, Jasjeet Kaur, Chandan Devi, Poonam Rani, Asunta Lakra, Soundrya and Monika Badra. Manager: Rupa Saini. Coach: Pritam Rani Thakran and Sandeep Kaur.