Former hockey captain not part of Coach Schopman’s plans
Rani Rampal is not going to be too happy about this. Two days after she had demanded answers from national head coach Janneke Schopman as to why she was being ignored, she has been excluded from the list of 34 Asian Games probables and the preparation camp.
Schopman told Hockey India in a release, "We have showcased in our recent competitions that we are growing as a team and are constantly learning."
"The upcoming camp is an important one for us as we are spearheading our preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games, which could be our road to securing a spot for the Paris Olympics 2024."
"We will work on the areas where we still need to improve in the camp and will focus on ensuring all the players are comfortable in playing the kind of hockey that we want to play."
"It is important that all of us are on the same page before the all-important competition ahead for us," she had said.
The camp will be held in Bengaluru from Sunday till September 18.
They will begin their Asian Games challenge nine days later on September 27. India are in Pool A with Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore.
India will take some confidence from their win in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation International Tournament in Barcelona. Among other creditable performances, India defeated hosts Spain 3-0.
The Probables
Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki.
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chaudhary.
Midfielders: Nisha, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Jyoti, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Mariana Kujur, Sonika, Neha, Baljeet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Ajmina Kujur. Forwards: Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Sharmila Devi, Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, Sunelita Toppo, Beauty Dungdung.