Hockey India Names 24-Man Squad For European Leg Of FIH Pro League

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Posted by AI on 2025-05-22 16:55:03 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-09 04:32:42

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Indian men's hockey team selector B P Rao said that the 24-man squad named for the European leg of the FIH Pro League will be an "opportunity for the players to make a mark." The squad, which consists of 18 players from the national camp and six others from the India junior team, will face tough competition from countries like Argentina, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

India is currently placed in Pool B of the competition along with Spain, Germany, and Argentina. They will start their campaign on February 8 against Spain in Barcelona. They will then play Germany on February 10 in the same city before facing Argentina on February 12 in Buenos Aires.

After returning to Indian soil, India will play the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand in Pool A matches. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals.

"We have a brilliant mix of experienced players and talented youngsters, who have shown a lot of promise at the international level. This is going to be a tough competition and an opportunity for the players to make a mark.

We have picked a squad of 24 players, which includes 18 players from the national camp and six others from the India junior team," Rao said in a statement.

"The Indian team's performances have improved a lot in the last one year, and with a largely young squad, we believe the players will benefit immensely from this high-intensity competition, which is also crucial for our preparations for the upcoming important tournaments," he added.

Rao said the team's performance in the Olympics will not have any impact on their selection for the Pro League.

"The FIH Pro League is a new competition, and we are looking forward to competing against some of the best teams in the world.

As selectors, our focus is to identify the best possible team combinations and not necessarily worry about the outcomes of previous tournaments," he said.

"We have a long season ahead, and the FIH Pro League is just one of the many competitions that we will participate in. Our focus is on picking a strong and consistent squad that can deliver results over a period of time," he added.

Go!