Ritu Rani - The History Book of Indian Hockey

Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam will be leading the Indian Women’s Hockey Team in Rio

Indian Hockey Admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 09:53:54 +0000

Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam will be leading the Indian women’s hockey team when they make their comeback appearance at the Olympic stage after a hiatus of 36 years, next month at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Having just been handed the reins over from regular skipper Ritu Rani following a controversial exclusion of the latter from the national side, for the 24-year-old halfback from Manipur it would, no doubt, seem to be a mammoth task to perform.
With over a hundred senior appearances under her belt, Sushila certainly has the requisite experience in controlling matters from the backline, but with her being handed the captain’s role with less than a month to go for Rio 2016, quite a number of heads have been turned.

Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam new Indian women’s hockey team Captain

Although it’s the first time she will don the skipper’s armband for the Indian Eves, she was the central figure in India’s historic Bronze Medal win – defeating England in a penalty shootout – at the 2013 Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup held in Germany’s Monchengladbach. Therefore, Chanu is no stranger to leading teams at crucial stages in the international arena.
However, at the moment, the new captain is a figure of confidence. She is ready to rise to the occasion and has assured us of a positive show that would earn the Indian team at least a quarter-final berth after group stage victories over USA and Japan and a tight contest against Argentina.

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Hockey India to Award Rs One Lakh to Women’s Team for Rio Olympic Qualification

Indian Hockey Admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 12:17:13 +0000

Hockey India have announced that the entire women’s hockey team will be given a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh for sealing qualification to the Olympics after 36 years. The Indian eves acheived the feat after a decent display at the EuroHockey Championship in London last August.
The India women’s hockey team had previously qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, where they finished fourth.
Apart from the women’s team, the entire support staff will be awarded the cash prize from Hockey India. It will be handed over to the members of the hockey team on March 26 at the Hockey India awards in Bengaluru.
“It’s a very big achievement for women’s hockey in India,” India women’s hockey team skipper Ritu Rani was quoted as saying by Hockey India’s official website. “Till now, the Gold in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester was the most celebrated moment for women’s hockey, but by qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, we have managed to push the bar higher.
“A good performance in the Olympics will help to take women’s hockey in India a long way ahead. This recognition by Hockey India will further motivate us to put up a good show,” the 24-year-old halfback added.
Ritu, along with defender Dipika Murthy, forward Rani Rampal and goalkeeper Savita Punia are also in contention to bag the Women’s Player of the Year award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.

Women’s Hockey Team Qualified for RIO Olympics 2016 – India Hockey

The Indian women’s team finished fifth at the Hockey World League semifinals in July last year, opening up an enormous opportunity for them to make it to the Rio Olympics. They could only confirm the spot for the 2016 Olympics if any of the two already-qualified teams reached the final of the EuroHockey Championship.
England, who had already sealed qualification to the Rio Olympics, got past Spain in the semifinal of the tournament and that paved the way for the Indian eves to make it to Rio 2016.
The mega quadrennial event is scheduled to begin in Brazil on August 5. Apart from India, Asian Games Champions Korea, Pan American Games champions Argentina, Great Britain, China, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the USA have sealed the qualification to the women’s hockey tournament of the Rio Olympics.
Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-womens-hockey-team-receive-rs-1-lakh-cash-prize-hockey-india-670613

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Gurbaj Singh in Men’s Hockey Team, Ritu Rani to Lead Women’s Team in South Asian Games

Indian Hockey Admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 13:25:59 +0000

After the revocation of a nine-month ban on him for indiscipline, Gurbaj Singh is finally in the team for South Asian Games. Gurbaj Singh who has been a controversial midfielder returned to the Indian men’s hockey team on Monday.
The well experienced women hockey player of India Ritu Rani will lead the Indian women’s hockey team in the South Asian Games while Mandeep Antil will lead the men’s team as a captain.

Gurbaj Singh Left and Ritu Rani in Right

Indian Men’s team will be seen battling in the field with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan while the women’s hockey team will fight the competition against Sri Lanka and Nepal.
The hockey matches will be hosted at Moullana MD. Tayabullah Hockey Stadium, Bhetapara in Guwahati from February 7 to 14.

The post Gurbaj Singh in Men’s Hockey Team, Ritu Rani to Lead Women’s Team in South Asian Games first appeared on The History Book of Indian Hockey.