India Women's Hockey Team Gears Up for Bihar Champions Trophy with New Leadership

The Indian women's hockey team, under new captain Salima Tete, is preparing to defend its title at the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024. The tournament, featuring top teams including China and Japan, marks a significant milestone as the first international hockey event in Bihar.

The Indian women's hockey team, led by newly appointed captain Salima Tete, is set to commence its title defense at the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 on Monday. This marks the first international hockey tournament hosted in Bihar, featuring elite teams like the Paris Olympics silver medallists China, and competitors from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium.

Guided by captain Salima Tete and vice-captain Navneet Kaur, the team starts its campaign against Malaysia on November 11. India has a strong record against Malaysia, having defeated them comprehensively in recent encounters, including a 5-0 win at the Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023, and a 6-0 victory during the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. The team also secured a 9-0 triumph over Malaysia in the Women's Asia Cup 2022.

Expressing her excitement, Captain Salima Tete said, "Leading the team in a major international tournament is an honor, and we are eager to perform well at the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024. Our focus is on teamwork and showcasing our readiness to compete with top teams globally." India faces Korea on November 12, Thailand on November 14, challenges China on November 16, and concludes the pool stage against Japan on November 17.

India aims for a top-four finish among six teams to qualify for the semi-finals on November 19, with the final slated for November 20. This tournament is also significant as it's the first Asian competition under chief coach Harendra Singh, appointed earlier this year.

Coach Harendra Singh commented on the team's progress, stating, "Our performance in the past months has been promising. The Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy is a significant platform to demonstrate our capabilities and mark the beginning of our 'Mission LA28'. The team is determined to show we are moving in the right direction."

(With inputs from agencies.)