Vandana to be her deputy

Experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia will lead the 18-member Hockey India’s Women Team for the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024, scheduled to be held in Ranchi from 13th to 19th January, 2024. She will be assisted by Central Railway ace forward Vandana Katariya.

The host will hope to put aside their poor performance in the recently concluded 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023 and will aim to finish as one of the top three teams in the crucial competition and secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 fourth placed India Women’s team have been placed in a relatively easy Pool B, along with New Zealand, Italy, and the United States. Meanwhile, Germany, Japan, Chile, and the Czech Republic will battle it out in Pool A. India will open their campaign against the United States on the 13th January, followed by a match against New Zealand on the 14th January, and they will go up against Italy in the last Pool B match on the 16th January.

Speaking on the team selection, Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Janneke Schopman said, "The FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024 is an important tournament on our Paris 2024 Olympics journey. It is imperative that we live up to expectations and all the players in the squad are working to secure qualification”.

The former member of the Netherlands Olympic Gold medal winning team further added, “ After careful consideration, we have chosen a well-balanced team with immense skill and experience in all departments”.

While referring to the selection of seasoned custodian Savita who recently won her third consecutive FIH Goalkeeper of the Year Award along with  her deputy veteran forward Vandana Katariya, who recently became the first-ever women player from India to complete 300 caps, she further added “ The duos presence  will serve the team well. Both have faced high-pressure situations numerous times in their career so far, they are well equipped to guide the rest of the team as the Captain and Vice-Captain.”

Indian Women Squad:

Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (Captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam; Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika; Midfielders: Nisha, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Sonika, Jyoti, Beauty Dungdung and Forwards: Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Vandana Katariya. Chief Coach Janneke Schopman.