Pritam Rani Siwach, former Indian women’s hockey captain, believes the men’s team can win gold at the Paris Olympics, hoping to improve on their previous bronze finish. India’s victory at the Tokyo Olympics broke a 41-year medal drought. Siwach voiced confidence in the team’s talented players, despite the hurdles posed by Pool B opponents Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland.
On July 27, the team will face New Zealand to begin their campaign. Siwach believes the impending National Women’s Hockey League will be critical for developing talent and providing a pathway to the national team. The league, a pioneering endeavour in the local circuit, attempts to provide a platform for young players to demonstrate their abilities.
Siwach emphasises that the league will benefit both players and coaches by increasing their understanding of player strengths and areas for improvement. The league will include teams from Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Mizoram, Manipur, and Odisha, all of which finished in the top eight at the last Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship.
The league will begin with the Ranchi leg from April 30 to May 9.
