Indian Women's Hockey: A New Era Begins

The Indian women's hockey team, led by coach Harendra Singh, is determined to rebound from recent setbacks and aims to excel in the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. The team's upcoming performance at the Asian Champions Trophy will set the groundwork for these future ambitions.

The Indian women's hockey team is embarking on a new chapter with aspirations for the World Cup and Olympics, according to chief coach Harendra Singh. He emphasized the significance of their performance in the Asian Champions Trophy as the foundation for these future plans.

Having faced a difficult period since placing fourth at the Tokyo Games, the team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics and endured losses in 13 of the 16 FIH Pro League matches. Coach Harendra expressed confidence in the team's recovery, focusing on a potential strong showing at the 2026 World Cup in the Netherlands and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Identifying fitness as a critical factor affecting past performances, Harendra took his team to the Indian Naval Academy to improve their readiness. Meanwhile, India captain Salima Tete cited China as a formidable competitor, urging her team not to underestimate any opponents in their defense of the ACT title.

(With inputs from agencies.)