It is a new year with new challenges. The high of winning the bronze at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 is now pushed back as Team India gears up to face newer and tougher challenges in 2022. It is the year of the Common Wealth Games, Asian Games and the Asia Cup—a year of direct qualification for the Paris Olympic Games 2024 and FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Add to this the FIH Pro League matches—that will form an important part of the men's competition calendar.
Even as players went back home to give their tired bodies and minds rest, they returned this January first for a three-week-long camp of 60 players based on their performance in various national tournaments. From these 33 players were finally drafted as part of Senior Men's core probable group who will play major international competitions this year.
The Indian team led by Olympic medal-winning team skipper Manpreet Singh will leave for South Africa on February 4 for its first major assignment this year- playing hosts SA and France as part of their Pro League competition.
A mix of veterans and new blood- India, which did not feature in the debut season of the Pro League, would look to build on its fine Season 2. It beat strong teams like World and Olympic champions Belgium, European champions the Netherlands and 2016 Olympic champions Argentina before the Covid pandemic brought all sporting activity worldwide to a halt. The return of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh to the side as well as seniors like skipper Manpreet adds exp[erience to the team just like the addition of debutants Jugraj Singh and Abhishek add freshness and speed. However such are the current times, 16 members of the probables camp and one coach went down with Covid, ahead of the selection of the men's team. Nevertheless, the big pool of players helped Reid pick a strong squad for the competition.
India takes on a confident South Africa and an upcoming France in what chief coach Graham Reidpredicted a "tough outing". The other competing teams in the 9 team Pro league are Argentina, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa and Spain.
With Australia, New Zealand and Canada announcing their inability to join the FIH Hockey Pro League for this third season due to COVID-related travel restrictions, SA and France are replacements for one season only, as agreed between FIH and the participating nations. Each team in the League will play all of the other teams in the league twice in a season.
France is looking to build on its outstanding outing in the Junior Hockey World Cup last year and has qualified for the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.
SA cannot be treated as lightweights having come up strong despite losing displays against European champions Netherlands and eventual Olympic champions Belgium before securing a famous victory against Germany, fighting back from 3-2 down to defeat the four-time gold medallists 4-3 at Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking to the media ahead of the team's departure, Coach Graham Reid and captain Manpreet Singh expressed satisfaction with the fitness levels and training the squad put in ahead of the competition excerpts:
How challenging have the last few weeks been for the team and coaches?
Reid: It is always good to see a group of 60 players—to see the next level of players come through. Unfortunately, it coincided with an upsurge of Omicron and so few of our guys tested positive during the camp. The great thing is there is so much more data and protocols on how you can bring them back. It is how the new normal is. Almost all those players were asymptomatic and can get back to full training earlier unlike back 2020-21 when some guys were down with Covid and we were very cautious. Everyone has been double vaccinated. But yes, it is very challenging. Almost all of us have been touched by it in some way or form.
Thoughts on starting the new season with pro league matches in SA?
Manpreet Singh: Yes this year is very important for us—we have important matches ahead. France and SA we are playing now—it is a good opportunity to see where we stand. We have two new youngsters in the team. It is a new year and we want to start it with good wins. Players are giving 100 per cent in the camp. With the CWG, Asian Games and WC ahead, we have to maintain fitness and do well in reading other teams. We cannot take any tournament easily.
Bio bubbles have not proven to be completely secure, as was proven with the Bengaluru camp; there have been instances of teams getting affected by Covid in tournaments worldwide. Travelling to SA—your thoughts?
Manpreet Singh: It is nothing new for us Since Covid started we have been following protocols. On this tour we know staying inside the bio bubble is best for us...we will be tested before every match; all are aware of this. Coaches, doctors keep telling us every day about the protocols.
Graham Reid: We have spent a lot of time trying to make sure the bio bubble is [maintained]... from the time we leave to the bus and airplane [journeys]. My experience in planes has been a very positive one in the last year and a half. A lot of this is down to the individual place or country you are going to ensure putting all protocols in place. South Africa know what they were dealing with...they are through with Omicron. We had a very good trip to Bangladesh just when Omicron was starting. We need to keep being diligent.
Do you think playing teams like SA and France, you could have tried more new players than two?
Graham Reid: We were able to do that in Bangladesh. We also needed to bring back some other players who hadn't had games since the Olympics. These will be very tough games. I want to ensure that everyone understands how seriously we are taking these games. The team that was picked is reflective of that. There is a lot of hockey to come.
How important are these four games to get into the groove, especially for those who have not played since the Olympics?
Graham Reid: It is very important. It is great France was able to join the fray. They are an up and coming nation in hockey and certainly are going to be a difficult team to play. Really good competition. It's been quite a long time after the Olympics for some of them.
Could you talk about the two new players included in the team?
Reid: Jugraj is a versatile player—plays both in midfield and defence. and is very quick when he drag flicks. I am quite excited about if we can get some of the speed with his flicks and if he can get consistent with where he puts them. He is a very competent defender and in-fielder
Abhishek is a striker who likes scoring goals. He has scored a lot of goals in nationals and in the camp also was quite prolific.