Indian Hockey Team preparatory camp gets underway in full swing

Chief Coach Roelant Oltmans and Captain Sardara Singh discuss road to the Olympics

March 9, 2016, Bengaluru: The Indian hockey team kick-started their month long preparations for the 2016-17 season at the Sports Authority Of India (SAI) centre here in Bengaluru. The team will undergo intensive practice sessions at the camp for the long season ahead and try to attain a considerable momentum before the all-important 2016 Olympics Games in August.

The fourth Coal India Hockey India League (HIL), which concluded recently saw the emergence of many talented  prospects, both at the junior and senior levels, who have been included in the camp. A total of thirty-three probables are training at the camp organised as preparation for the Olympic Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21.

Speaking to the media, the Indian men’s hockey team Chief Coach Roelant Oltmans said, “The preparations look good, we have a stretch of 20 to 25 odd games before the Olympics which will be very crucial for the team. The Coal India Hockey India League helped us tap some very talented young players, but for them to make it to the national team they have to be physically, mentally and technically adept. We as a team need to improve on few critical aspects and through this camp I hope to achieve the same with the players.”

The team led by Sardara Singh ended the last season on a high with a bronze at the Hockey World League Finals. This being the Olympics year, a lot will be expected from the team. Speaking to the media, the talismanic skipper said “The training camp is a great place for the boys to get back in groove and gear up for the season ahead. We have just got 4 to 5 months left for the Rio Olympics and each training camp and tournament is important. The coach is working really hard with the team and each of us is taking initiative towards working on our individual goals and turns ourselves into a cohesive unit”.

About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body having an exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).

Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, has drawn out a Long-Term Development Programme (LTDP) to train players, provide world-class infrastructure and International exposure besides regular international competition. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India is dedicated to getting our team into the top six in the world.
Hockey India also initiated the ‘Hockey India Annual Awards’ in 2014 to recognize the contributions and achievements of Indian Hockey players.

For further information please contact  Sakshi Choubey | sakshi@wordswork.in| +91 98736 423324

Gautam Sheth | gautam@wordswork.in | +91 98692 33393

Follow us on: www.hockeyindia.org | Twitter: @TheHockeyIndia | Facebook:  Hockey India