The Indian Women’s Hockey Team arrived at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to begin training for the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 season. Long-time custodian Savita will continue to lead the Women in Blue as Captain, while senior forward player Vandana Katariya will serve as her deputy.
The FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 for Women is scheduled to take place at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar from February 3rd to 9th, before moving to the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela from February 12th to 18th. The India leg of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 will include five national teams – India, China, the United States of America, the Netherlands, and Australia. Each team will face off twice, once in Bhubaneswar and once in Rourkela.
Indian women will take on reigning Asian Games Champions China in their first game on February 3, Saturday, followed by a battle with the Netherlands on February 4, Sunday. Women in Blue will look to deliver their 100 percent skill and athleticism to beat the Netherlands as they experienced a humiliating 7-2 loss to the Dutch in the FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup final. Indian women will then play Australia on February 7, Wednesday and their last game will be against the United States on February 9, Friday in Bhubaneswar.
The Indian women’s squad is participating in the FIH Hockey Pro League for the second season. The Indian Women’s Team made its debut appearance in the FIH Hockey Pro League during the 2021-22 season, finishing third. Last year, India defeated Spain 1-0 in the final of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup, clinching a spot in the FIH Pro League 2023-24.
Speaking on the importance of the FIH Hockey Pro League, Indian Women’s Hockey team head coach Janneke Schopman said as the team continues to improve it is imperative that we give our best in the FIH Pro League and use this opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the world. The FIH Pro League will be a great platform for some of the youngsters in the squad to acquaint themselves with the demands of international hockey and further hone their skills, the former Dutch defender added.
This season we will also have the chance to secure qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, so the team is prepared to give it their all from the first match, Schopman concluded.
