New Delhi, July 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India on Thursday announced the launch of its nationwide Coaching and Officiating Education Pathway Workshops, with the programme set to begin on July 18 as part of its continued efforts to strengthen the sport's development ecosystem across the country.

Designed to provide internationally recognised learning opportunities, the workshops aim to equip participants with the latest coaching methodologies, technical knowledge and officiating standards.

The initiative will feature separate workshops for coaches and technical officials, with sessions conducted by FIH educators and experts. Hockey India said the programme is aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of coaches and officials while promoting a structured hockey education system across India.

As part of its long-term vision to strengthen hockey at the grassroots level and upskill coaches and technical officials, Hockey India hopes to build a nationwide network of qualified professionals. The federation believes that making quality hockey education more accessible will help create a sustainable ecosystem for the growth of players, coaches, officials and the sport.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the development of Indian hockey depends not only on players but also on the quality of coaches and technical officials.

"The growth of Indian hockey depends not only on our players but also on the quality of our coaches and technical officials. Through these workshops, we are committed to creating a strong education pathway that reaches every corner of the country. By bringing FIH educators and experts, we aim to ensure that modern coaching practices and officiating standards are accessible to everyone, ultimately strengthening the foundation of the sport in India," he said.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh said continuous education is vital for the long-term development of the game.

"At Hockey India, we believe continuous education is essential for the long-term development of the sport. These Coaching and Officiating Education Pathway workshops will provide valuable learning opportunities for aspiring and experienced coaches and officials. By conducting these workshops nationwide, we are creating a more inclusive and structured system that will contribute to the overall progress of Indian hockey," he said.

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India rolls out nationwide workshops to strengthen coaching and officiating standards appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian women's hockey chief coach Sjoerd Marijne believes the squad is entering the most crucial phase of its preparation with renewed confidence and enthusiasm as it gears up for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 to be played in Belgium and the Netherlands, saying the players are fully committed to improving ahead of two major tournaments later this year.

With just a month remaining before the World Cup begins on August 15, the Indian women's team is training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru after an unbeaten title-winning campaign at the FIH Nations Cup, a performance that secured valuable momentum heading into the global showpiece.

India has been drawn in Pool D and will open its World Cup campaign against one of the pre-tournament favourites, China, on August 16. The team will then face South Africa on August 18 before concluding the group stage against England on August 20.

Marijne said the prospect of competing at both the World Cup and the Asian Games has created a positive atmosphere within the camp, with every player eager to make the most of the preparation period.

"The team is very motivated for the upcoming period with the two major tournaments (World Cup and Asian Games) ahead. The players are excited, and you can clearly see that energy during our training sessions. Everyone is working hard every day, and there is a real hunger within the group to keep improving,” Marijne said.

Having lifted the FIH Nations Cup without losing a match, India enters the World Cup on the back of one of its strongest recent performances. The coaching staff is now focused on ensuring the team continues its upward trajectory while managing workloads during the final month before the tournament.

Marijne explained that the emphasis remains on sustained improvement rather than dramatic changes, with fitness and consistent progression forming the cornerstone of the team's preparation.

"Our focus remains on ourselves. We want to take another step forward, especially in terms of fitness, while continuing to improve the areas we have been working on over the past few months. We have a good balance of high, medium, and low-intensity sessions because you cannot train at maximum intensity every day. Our strength and conditioning coaches closely monitor every player to make sure the team is ready. I can see the progress we are making, both individually and as a team, and that gives me a lot of confidence going into the World Cup,” he added.

The simultaneous staging of the men's and women's World Cups in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15 to 30 adds further significance to this year's tournament, with India hoping its recent progress can translate into a strong campaign on the biggest stage.

Source: IANS

The post ‘The team is very motivated,’ says coach Marijne as India women begin Hockey World Cup preparations appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) With exactly one month to go before the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium and Netherlands 2026 gets underway, Indian men's hockey chief coach Craig Fulton says the squad has returned to camp refreshed and is steadily building intensity as preparations enter the decisive phase for the sport's showpiece event.

The World Cup, scheduled from August 15 to 30, will be a landmark edition, with the men's and women's tournaments being staged simultaneously for the first time at the same venues in Belgium and the Netherlands. Both Indian teams are currently training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru ahead of the tournament.

India's men's team heads into the World Cup encouraged by a productive European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League, where it registered notable wins over reigning world champions Germany, Olympic champions the Netherlands and arch-rivals Pakistan, while also putting in a competitive display against England.

Speaking about the atmosphere in the ongoing national camp, Fulton said the players have resumed training with renewed enthusiasm after their break following the Pro League.

“The players have come into the camp fresh (after a break following the Pro League tour of Europe), and you can see it in the energy on the pitch. The sessions have been sharp and competitive, with everyone eager to be back together. The first few days had been about getting the legs moving again, re-establishing our standards and now we are gradually building the intensity as we prepare for the World Cup,” Fulton said.

The 1975 world champions have been drawn in Pool D alongside England, Pakistan and Wales. India will open its campaign against Wales on August 15 before facing England on August 17 and Pakistan on August 19. While England are expected to provide a stern challenge after a series of closely contested meetings in the FIH Pro League, the clash against Pakistan remains one of the most anticipated fixtures of the group stage.

Fulton explained that the coaching staff has adopted a phased approach to training, with an emphasis on physical conditioning before gradually shifting focus to tactical execution and decision-making.

“We're doing strong conditioning work early in the week to build our physical base, before moving into more tactical, unit-based sessions as the week progresses. We're also doing a lot of small-sided games to keep decision-making sharp under fatigue, alongside daily video reviews to reinforce learning and specific work on our press and counter. It's about improving what we're already good at and continuing to build on those strengths,” he added.

Source: IANS

The post ‘The sessions have been sharp and competitive’: Coach Fulton confident as India enter final month of WC preparations appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) India Junior Women's Hockey Team captain Shileima Chanu Khaidem believes the side has returned from its seven-match tour of the United Kingdom better equipped for the upcoming Women's Junior Asia Cup in China after testing itself against senior and age-group international opposition across Scotland and England.

The tour, which concluded with three wins, three defeats and one shootout loss, gave the young Indian squad valuable competitive exposure against Scotland Senior Women, USA U-21, England U-21 and Belgium U-21.

India's campaign began with two hard-fought defeats against Scotland's senior side, losing 3-2 in the opening fixture before going down 3-1 in the second encounter. Rather than allowing those setbacks to derail the tour, the visitors responded in emphatic fashion, producing a commanding 6-0 victory over the USA U-21.

Sukhveer Kaur led the charge with a brace, while Kajal, Shashi Khasa, Purnima Yadav and Puja Sahoo also found the net in India's biggest win of the tour. The confidence carried over into the next fixture as India blanked England U-21 2-0 through goals from Binima Dhan and Roshni Aind.

Reflecting on the overall experience, Shileima said the varying styles of opposition accelerated the team's learning process.

"This tour has been a fantastic learning experience for all of us. Playing against strong international teams with different styles of hockey challenged us to adapt quickly and improve with every match,” Shileima said.

India continued to show resilience in the fifth match, where Puja Sahoo's penalty-corner strike earned a 1-1 draw against the USA U-21 before the Americans edged a closely contested shootout 3-2. Shashi Khasa and Geeta Yadav converted their attempts for India, but the result marked the team's only shootout defeat of the tour.

The response was immediate. India completed a second victory over England U-21 with another disciplined 2-0 performance as Krishna Sharma and Purnima Yadav scored field goals. In the final fixture, the visitors pushed Belgium U-21 before narrowly losing 2-1, with Sukhveer Kaur scoring India's late consolation after goals from Louise Van Herendael and Romanie Verhaeghe had given Belgium the advantage.

The skipper said the manner in which the squad recovered from difficult moments was one of the tour's biggest positives.

"We have taken a lot of confidence from our performances, especially the way we bounced back after difficult results. These matches have helped us understand the areas where we are doing well and where we still need to improve,” she added.

Across the seven matches, several players made significant contributions. Sukhveer Kaur finished among the team's standout performers with goals against Scotland, the USA and Belgium, while Purnima Yadav, Shashi Khasa, Kajal and Puja Sahoo also featured regularly on the scoresheet. Defensively, India showed steady improvement as the tour progressed, recording successive clean-sheet victories over England after conceding six goals across the opening two matches against Scotland.

Shileima believes the experience of competing against both senior and elite junior international teams has laid a strong platform for the squad's next challenge.

"As a team, we are now looking forward to carrying these learnings into our preparations for the Women's Junior Asia Cup in China. The experience we have gained here will be invaluable as we work towards achieving our goals later this year,” Shileima stated.

Having tested themselves in a variety of match situations against quality opposition, the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team will now turn its attention to the Women's Junior Asia Cup, aiming to convert the lessons from their UK campaign into a strong continental showing later this year.

Source: IANS

The post ‘This tour has been a fantastic learning experience’: Shileima Chanu reflects on India’s productive UK campaign appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has asked the Hockey India management to probe the allegations made by former India women's team captain Asunta Lakra, who has accused a coach in Jharkhand of sexually harassing young female players and also alleged the federation secretary of intimidation.

The Ministry has conveyed its request through Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey to take cognisance of the email sent by the former India captain and place it before the federation's Internal Complaints Committee.

“It is requested that the issues raised in Ms. Asunta Lakra’s email may be placed before the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted by Hockey India under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, for its consideration and appropriate action, and the outcome of the same may be shared with this Ministry,” the communication reads.

It appears the ministry has thrown the ball into the Hockey India court because Asunta Lakra had urged the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to constitute an independent enquiry against Jharkhand coach Sudhir Golla. She had also sought an enquiry into allegations of intimidation and retaliation against complainants and whistleblowers, which administrators enabled, protected, or shielded individuals facing complaints, and whether existing safeguard mechanisms functioned effectively.

Asunta Lakra has alleged that the state association ignored complaints of sexual harassment against a coach and instead threatened those who raised concerns about the welfare of women players. The former India star also claimed that players were too afraid to come forward despite the alleged misconduct continuing for a prolonged period.

Lakra identified the coach as Sudhir Gola. She said he had been appointed to oversee the Jharkhand training centre and had managed the team for the past one to two years. She and her husband worked alongside him during that time.

"The person facing these allegations is Sudhir Gola, who is from Telangana. The government appointed him to oversee the training centre in Jharkhand, and he has handled the team for the past one to two years. My husband and I were also working with him. Earlier, several people raised concerns about him, but we did not believe them. There were disputes about his behaviour, and we defended him because we had no idea what was happening behind the scenes," Lakra told IANS.

Lakra said the truth started to come out only after an internal inquiry. Some players found the courage to speak up, while others stayed silent out of fear.

"When the internal committee began questioning the players, some spoke while others stayed quiet. Many players had faced inappropriate behaviour but were not ready to come forward. Once one or two players found the courage to speak, it became clear that the allegations were true."

Separately, Lakra has accused Hockey India secretary general Bholanath Singh of threatening and intimidating her after she raised concerns about the harassment of women players.

In written complaints sent to the Jharkhand Sports Minister, the Chief Minister, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association president P. T. Usha, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, and other authorities, Lakra alleged that those accused of misconduct were being protected while those highlighting the issue faced pressure to stay silent.

However, Bholanath Singh has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and part of a conspiracy.

Source: IANS

The post Sports Ministry asks Hockey India to act against Asunta Lakra’s allegations of harassment and intimidation appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 14 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India on Tuesday announced the Indian Sub-Junior men's and women's squads for the inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Muscat 2026, which will be held in Muscat, Oman, from July 20 to 25. The continental tournament will also serve as the Asian qualifying event for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup.

Seven teams will compete in each category, with the men's event featuring hosts Oman, India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. The women's competition will see India face Pakistan, Oman, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran.

The Indian squads were selected from 15-member national camps currently underway in Chandigarh for the boys and Bhopal for the girls.

The Sub-Junior women's side will be led by Sweety Kujur and includes goalkeepers Khili Kumari and Mahak Parihar. Nilam Topno and Kiran Ekka have been named in defence, while Diya, Pushpa Manjhi and Shruti Kumari will operate in midfield. Nousheen Naz and Sandeepa Kumari complete the forward line alongside captain Sweety.

Speaking after the squad announcement, women's coach Rani expressed confidence in the team's preparations.

“We have selected a balanced squad with a good mix of skill, speed and character. The players have worked extremely hard during the preparatory camp and have shown great commitment to improving every aspect of their game.”

“Hockey5s is a fast-paced format that demands quick decision-making, adaptability and high energy, and we have focused on these areas throughout our preparations. This tournament will be a valuable platform for our young players to test themselves against some of the best teams in Asia. We are confident they will embrace the challenge, play fearless hockey and represent India with pride,” she added.

The Sub-Junior men's team will be captained by Ketan Kushwaha. The squad includes goalkeepers Sawan Kumar and Ayush Rajak, defenders Karan Gautam and Ashish Tani Purti, midfielders Rahul Yadav and Romit Pal, and forwards Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh and Shahrukh Ali.

Men's coach Sardar Singh believes the squad is well-equipped to make an impact in Oman.

“The squad has earned its place through consistent performances and a strong work ethic during the training camp. Hockey5s is an exciting format that rewards speed, creativity and composure under pressure, and the boys have adapted well to its unique demands. Our emphasis has been on building a cohesive unit that can execute our plans with confidence while playing an attacking brand of hockey. This championship is an excellent opportunity for these young players to gain international exposure and showcase their potential. We are looking forward to a strong performance and hope to make the country proud.”

With qualification for the inaugural FIH U18 Youth Hockey5s World Cup at stake, India will look to make a strong start in the first edition of the continental championship and continue its rich tradition of success in age-group hockey.

Indian squads for the Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, Muscat 2026:

Sub-Jr Women

Goalkeepers: Khili Kumari, Mahak Parihar

Defenders: Nilam Topno, Kiran Ekka

Midfielders: Diya, Pushpa Manjhi, Shruti Kumari

Forwards: Nousheen Naz, Sandeepa Kumari, Sweety Kujur (c)

Sub-Jr Men

Goalkeepers: Sawan Kumar, Ayush Rajak

Defenders: Karan Gautam, Ashish Tani Purti

Midfielders: Rahul Yadav, Romit Pal

Forwards: Ketan Kushwaha (c), Prahalad Rajbhar, Arshdeep Singh, Shahrukh Ali

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India names squads for inaugural Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Ranchi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has alleged that the state association ignored complaints of sexual harassment against a coach and instead threatened those who raised concerns about the welfare of women players. The former India star also claimed that players were too afraid to come forward despite the alleged misconduct continuing for a prolonged period.

Lakra identified the coach as Sudhir Gola. She said he had been appointed to oversee the Jharkhand training centre and had managed the team for the past one to two years. She and her husband worked alongside him during that time.

"The person facing these allegations is Sudhir Gola, who is from Telangana. The government appointed him to oversee the training centre in Jharkhand, and he has handled the team for the past one to two years. My husband and I were also working with him. Earlier, several people raised concerns about him, but we did not believe them. There were disputes about his behaviour, and we defended him because we had no idea what was happening behind the scenes," Lakra told IANS.

Lakra said the truth started to come out only after an internal inquiry. Some players found the courage to speak up, while others stayed silent out of fear.

"When the internal committee began questioning the players, some spoke while others stayed quiet. Many players had faced inappropriate behaviour but were not ready to come forward. Once one or two players found the courage to speak, it became clear that the allegations were true."

She also claimed she has evidence to back up the allegations. "This is not just hearsay. I have audio recordings. If needed, I can produce them."

According to Lakra, rumours had been floating around for a while, but solid information only appeared after the investigation began.

"People have been talking about it for some time, but we only learned the truth after the investigation started. Once the inquiry kicked off, reports began coming in one after another."

Lakra claimed players reported several incidents during tournaments and while travelling with the team.

"Some players mentioned incidents during tournaments, including one in Visakhapatnam and another in Rajgir. One player said that while the team was travelling by bus after a match, he called her on the phone and asked her to come and meet him. I cannot share every detail, but that is what the player told us."

She further stated that inappropriate conduct wasn't limited to travel. She alleged similar behaviour occurred during activities at the training centre.

"Some incidents took place while the team was travelling. There were also times during programs at the training centre when he ignored senior players and specifically called junior girls. Normally, experienced senior players would take on responsibilities, but he kept focusing on junior girls instead."

Questioning the coach's conduct, Lakra said his behaviour during team meetings was inappropriate and defended her choice to raise the issue.

"During team meetings, when everyone stood together, he would put his hand on a junior girl's shoulder. Is that appropriate behaviour for a coach? When I brought these issues to light, was I wrong to do so? After representing the country for so many years, why would I make false accusations against anyone?"

Lakra also mentioned that many alleged victims are still reluctant to speak out due to fear.

"Many players aren't speaking up because they're afraid. One player has been open about it. In another case, people suggest it might have been a personal relationship. I’m not denying that possibility, but my main concern is that no girl should endure anything wrong."

Separately, Lakra has accused Hockey India secretary general Bholanath Singh of threatening and intimidating her after she raised concerns about the harassment of women players.

In written complaints sent to the Jharkhand Sports Minister, the Chief Minister, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association president P. T. Usha, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, and other authorities, Lakra alleged that those accused of misconduct were being protected while those highlighting the issue faced pressure to stay silent.

However, Bholanath Singh has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and part of a conspiracy.

Source: IANS

The post ‘Why would I make false allegations?’: Asunta Lakra on harassment claims in Jharkhand hockey appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India on Friday announced the 20-member Indian Women's Hockey Team for the upcoming 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4 in Japan.

Salima Tete will continue to captain the side, having led the team to FIH Nations Cup triumph in New Zealand last month. Savita, who recently received the Padma Shri award, and Bichu Devi Kharibam have been named as the two goalkeepers in the squad.

"We have a group in which we have a nice balance between juniors, experienced players and seniors who are constantly working to get the best out of each other,” said the team’s chief coach, Sjoerd Marijne, sharing his thoughts on the selected 20-member squad.

The defence comprises Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Ishika Chaudhary and Jyoti, besides Lalthantluangi and Shilpi Dabas who made their senior debut during the FIH Nations Cup and were rewarded for their good performance in the tournament that India won with an unbeaten run.

In the midfield, captain Salima will be joined by Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Neha and Deepika Soreng.

The forward line features Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur and Beauty Dungdung.

“This group of players has shown that they have the right form and fitness in recent months. We are confident that this team is ready for the challenge at the Asian Games," Chief Coach Marijne added.

India's 20-member squad for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas

Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Deepika Soreng

Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung

Source: IANS

The post Salima Tete to lead India’s 20-member squad for Asian Games appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India has announced the names of the 15 players who will be part of the sub-junior men's national camp in preparation for the inaugural Men's Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026, set to take place in Muscat, Oman, from July 20 to 25.

The camp is being conducted from July 7 to 18 at Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, where the country's promising young players will train under the guidance of coach and former India captain Sardar Singh.

All 15 players in the group were also part of the Indian squad that featured in the recently-concluded U18 Men’s Asia Cup 2026, where the team clinched the gold medal after defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in the final.

The camp further highlights Hockey India’s vision to strengthen the U-18 program and harness young talent in the country before they move up the ranks to the junior and senior national teams.

The two-week camp is designed to introduce players to the tactical and technical demands of Hockey5s while sharpening their overall game through structured training sessions.

Hockey India is thankful to Panjab University for its support in hosting the national camp and for providing world-class facilities that will enable the players to prepare in the best possible environment ahead of the tournament.

Panjab University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) Renu Vig visited the national camp, interacting with the players and conveying her best wishes as they began their preparations.

Speaking ahead of the camp, the team’s coach Sardar Singh said, "This is a unique opportunity for these young players to represent India in a new format of the game at such a high level. Our objective over the next two weeks is to help the players understand the requirements of Hockey5s while continuing to strengthen the fundamentals that will benefit them throughout their careers. I would also like to thank Panjab University for extending excellent support in hosting this camp."

The tournament provides India's sub-junior players an important opportunity to gain international exposure in the Hockey5s format while continuing Hockey India's long-term focus on identifying and nurturing future talent.

National Camp Players:

Karan Gautam, Arman Soreng, Sawan Kumar, Ansh Bahutra, Arshdeep Singh, Ketan Kushwaha, Shahrukh Ali, Rahul Yadav, Romit Pal, Ashish Tani Purti, Akashdeep, Avi Manikpuri, Siddharth Ben, Prahalad Rajbhar, Ayush Rajak.

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India names players for sub-junior men’s national camp ahead of Youth Hockey5s Asian C’ship appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Bengaluru, July 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 24-member Indian junior men’s hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Saturday night for its exposure tour of Belgium, with matches scheduled from July 7 to 17, 2026.

Under new coach Frederic Soyez, the team will play six matches against Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands as part of its preparations for key upcoming international competitions, including the Junior Asia Cup.

India will play two matches each against Austria and Belgium, along with one match each against Germany and the Netherlands. Five matches will be played at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, while the final fixture against the Netherlands will be held at the Hockey Centre of Excellence in Antwerp.

The tour will be the team's first assignment under newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez and will serve as a key preparatory phase ahead of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later this year.

The exposure tour is expected to provide valuable international match experience while helping the young Indian side test its combinations and playing style ahead of the continental tournament.

Defender Anmol Ekka has been entrusted with the captaincy for the upcoming exposure tour. The goalkeeping unit comprises Vivek Lakra and Kunal Tewatia. The defensive line features captain Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, and V. Manimaran.

The midfield will be occupied by Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, and Ritik Lakra. The forward line consists of Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, and Mohd. Konain Dad and Gurusewak Singh.

Notably, four members of the squad - Anmol Ekka, Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav, and Rohit Kullu - were also part of the Indian team that secured the bronze medal at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025. Their international experience is expected to add valuable depth to the squad during the tour.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia

Defenders: Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, V. Manimaran

Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, Ritik Lakra

Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd. Konain Dad, Gurusewak Singh

Source: IANS

The post Indian junior men’s hockey team leaves for Belgium exposure tour appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) As the Indian men's hockey team registered confidence-boosting victories over the reigning world champions Germany and the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medallists the Netherlands at the FIH Pro League, head coach Craig Fulton stated such wins built a solid stepping stone for the team heading into the FIH World Cup and Asian Games.

India endured a difficult start to the Pro League during the home leg in Rourkela, where they suffered defeats against Belgium and Argentina. Signs of improvement emerged during the Hobart leg. After opening with a 0-2 defeat to Spain, India bounced back to hold hosts Australia to a 2-2 draw. That followed a 1-1 draw against Spain. However, the shootout in both those matches went in the favour of the opposition. The squad regrouped well in the concluding fixture, winning the shootout 3-1 after a fiercely-contested 1-1 draw against Australia.

In Rotterdam, India produced two of their finest results of the campaign, defeating Germany 3-1 and the Netherlands 3-2. Against two of the strongest defensive units in international hockey, India scored nine goals across four matches, with five coming from field play and four from penalty corners. These numbers highlighted an important shift in India's attacking approach, with the side no longer relying solely on its penalty-corner prowess but was consistently creating and converting chances from open play.

The momentum continued in London, where India remained unbeaten in regulation time in all four matches against Pakistan and England. The team registered twin victories over Pakistan, including a commanding 7-1 win, while holding England to draws in both meetings, earning one shootout victory. India’s defence also stood up, conceding just six goals across the four matches, with only one coming from field play.

The goals-scored column from the London leg showed an impressive 13 strikes – seven from field play, five from penalty corners and one from a penalty stroke, underlining the team's growing versatility in front of goal.

India's improved attacking play also reflected in the spread of goalscorers throughout the European campaign. Dilpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh finished as India's joint-highest scorers with four goals each, while Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Nilakanta Sharma contributed three goals apiece.

The spread of goals across the squad highlighted a more balanced attacking unit, with multiple players stepping up in crucial moments rather than the team depending on one or two individuals.

“One of the biggest takeaways from this Pro League run has been watching the team’s confidence grow,” said India’s Chief Coach, Craig Fulton, while analysing the team’s performance. “Wins over Germany and the Netherlands, plus a strong showing against England, prove that when we stick to our game plan, we’re capable of matching and beating anyone in the world. It’s a solid stepping stone heading into the World Cup and Asian Games, but we are still focused on tightening up our performance and staying consistent from quarter to quarter."

Fulton was particularly impressed with the team’s composure and hunger to do well. "Even more encouraging is how much this group has matured,” he added. “We’ve stayed calm under pressure, adjusted to different playing styles and pulled out wins in tight games. That kind of experience is exactly what we’ll need. The World Cup and Asian Games will test our resilience and belief, and I think we’re building the right foundation for it.”

Harmanpreet Singh, who came back to lead the side after skipping the Hobart leg of the Pro League due to personal reasons, spoke about the return of confidence. He was especially happy that the team’s performance showed it has all bases covered.

"This Pro League campaign has given us a lot of confidence because we've performed well against some of the strongest teams in world hockey,” said the India captain. “Beating top-ranked sides is always special, but more importantly, it shows that the hard work we're putting in as a team is paying off. We'll take these positives forward as we prepare for the World Cup and the Asian Games."

Harmanpreet further said, "One of the biggest positives from this Pro League campaign has been the contribution from every department. Our defence has stayed compact, the midfield has controlled the game well and our forwards have created good opportunities inside the circle and scored many field goals. Having all bases covered gives us confidence, but we also know there are areas where we can continue to improve before the World Cup and the Asian Games.”

Source: IANS

The post Wins over Germany, Netherlands in Pro League ‘solid stepping stone’ heading into WC and Asiad: Fulton appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India on Tuesday announced the 22-member Junior Men's squad for the upcoming exposure tour of Belgium, scheduled from 5 to 18 July 2026. The tour will be the team's first assignment under newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez and will serve as a key preparatory phase ahead of the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later this year.

The young Indian side will face some of Europe's strongest hockey nations during the tour, playing two matches each against Austria and Belgium, and one match each against Germany and the Netherlands. The exposure tour is expected to provide valuable international match experience while helping the team test its combinations and playing style ahead of the continental tournament.

Defender Anmol Ekka has been entrusted with the captaincy for the upcoming exposure tour. The goalkeeping unit comprises Vivek Lakra and Kunal Tewatia. The defensive line features captain Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey and V. Manimaran.

The midfield will be occupied by Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik and Ritik Lakra. The forward line consists of Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd. Konain Dad and Gurusewak Singh.

Notably, four members of the squad - Anmol Ekka, Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav and Rohit Kullu - were also part of the Indian team that secured the bronze medal at the FIH Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025. Their international experience is expected to add valuable depth to the squad during the tour.

Speaking on the squad announcement, coach Soyez said, "I expect this tour to help us progress on several levels. First, in terms of our game, by improving our connections, our tactical discipline and our efficiency in key moments. Then on the human side, by strengthening unity and confidence within the group. Finally, I hope this tour will give the players a better understanding of the demands of top-level international hockey and of what we need to put in place to perform consistently over time."

India will begin their campaign against Austria on 7 and 8 July. The team will then take on the hosts, Belgium, on 10 July, Germany on 13 July, Belgium again on 14 July and conclude the tour against the Netherlands on 17 July.

Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team for Belgium Exposure Tour:

Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia

Defenders: Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, V. Manimaran

Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, Ritik Lakra

Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd. Konain Dad, Gurusewak Singh

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India announces Anmol Ekka-led junior men’s squad for Belgium exposure tour appeared first on Social News XYZ.

London, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Men’s Hockey Team displayed remarkable defensive resilience to defeat England 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out after a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture of the FIH Hockey Pro League at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London on Sunday. Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra and Hardik Singh converted their shoot-out attempts for India, while defender Sanjay was named Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.

England started brightly and earned an early penalty corner after Sam Ward won one off Yashdeep Singh. Indian goalkeeper Mohith Shashikumar responded with a sensational double save before producing another fine stop to deny Ward and later keeping out Sanford as India weathered sustained early pressure.

India's best opportunity of the opening quarter came through Abhishek, who threatened late in the period, but England enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. The first quarter ended goalless, thanks to Mohith's sharp reflexes and India's disciplined defensive structure.

The hosts continued to press in the second quarter and came close through Bandurak, while India responded through Jarmanpreet Singh, whose effort was well saved by the England goalkeeper. England continued to pile on the pressure, but India's resolute defence stood firm as the teams headed into halftime locked at 0-0.

India returned after the break with renewed attacking intent and produced a dangerous counterattack led by Hardik Singh, whose driving run from midfield created an opportunity for Mandeep Singh, only for the England goalkeeper to make another important save. Hardik continued to influence proceedings and earned India a penalty corner in the 37th minute, but Amandeep Lakra was unable to convert.

A major turning point came late in the third quarter when England were awarded a penalty stroke after Yashdeep Singh was adjudged to have fouled Henry Croft. India immediately opted for a video referral, and the decision was overturned after replays confirmed a clean challenge. Following the overturned decision, England's Nicholas Park received a green card.

India earned another penalty corner soon after, but England's goalkeeper made another smart save. Tempers flared between both teams during the closing stages of the quarter, resulting in Dilpreet Singh receiving a green card. England also threatened through Thomas Sorsby, but neither side could break the deadlock heading into the final quarter.

England again put India under pressure in the fourth quarter, but goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made a crucial save to keep the scores level. India then enjoyed a sustained attacking spell as Sukhjeet Singh won a penalty corner with an excellent piece of play, leading to a series of penalty corners. However, England's defence held firm.

England attempted to launch a late counterattack, but Jarmanpreet Singh intercepted the danger. The hosts earned a penalty corner in the closing minutes, only for Karkera to produce another excellent save. With just two seconds remaining, England were awarded another penalty corner, but India successfully reviewed the decision and the call was overturned, ensuring the contest finished 0-0 after regulation time.

In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, India held their nerve to secure a 3-2 victory. Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra and Hardik Singh all converted their attempts as India claimed the bonus point from a fiercely contested encounter.

The victory highlighted India's defensive grit, composure under pressure and ability to deliver in crucial moments. Defender Sanjay, who was named Player of the Match, led a resolute defensive effort, while both goalkeepers made important contributions in preserving the clean sheet. The win marked India's last FIH Hockey Pro League fixture before the Hockey World Cup, providing the team with a timely confidence boost ahead of the marquee tournament.

Source: IANS

The post Indian Men’s Hockey Team prevails 3-2 over England in shoot-out after goalless draw in FIH Pro League reverse fixture appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) It was a Sunday that Indian sports fans would rather forget—until hockey stepped in to rescue the mood.

While both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams suffered painful defeats on foreign soil, the men’s hockey team ensured the weekend didn’t end without a smile, producing a gritty performance to beat England in a dramatic shootout in the FIH Hockey Pro League.

The heartbreak began at Lord’s, where India’s hopes of reaching the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals came crashing down. Despite posting one of their best batting efforts of the tournament with 170 on the board, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side watched helplessly as Australia chased down the target with an over to spare. Brilliant half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner powered Australia to a six-wicket win, knocking India out of the competition.

For India, it was another familiar tale—moments of brilliance overshadowed by a crushing exit at the business end of an ICC tournament. The defeat left them third in Group 1 with six points, while Australia and South Africa advanced to the semifinals.

If that disappointment wasn’t enough, more misery awaited thousands of kilometres away in Ireland.

The young Indian men’s T20 side, fresh from lifting the T20 World Cup earlier this year, suffered a shock 0-2 series defeat after Ireland clinched a thrilling one-run victory in the second T20I at Stormont. It was Ireland’s first-ever bilateral T20I series win over India and ended the visitors’ remarkable streak of 16 consecutive T20I series victories dating back to 2023.

Even more impressive was the manner in which the Irish pulled it off. Lorcan Tucker’s men showed tremendous character, defending totals in both matches to script one of the greatest weekends in Irish cricket history.

Just when Indian sports fans thought Sunday had nothing left to offer, hockey came to the rescue.

The Indian men’s hockey team held its nerve in London, defeating England 3-2 in a tense shootout after regulation time ended goalless. The victory not only provided a fitting end to India’s FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26 campaign but also ensured that the tricolour had something to celebrate on an otherwise gloomy day.

It was a reminder of why hockey continues to occupy a special place in Indian sport. On a day when cricket brought only disappointment, the Men in Blue with hockey sticks delivered the joy that millions had been waiting for.

Not every Sunday belongs to cricket. This one, unquestionably, belonged to hockey.

Source: IANS

The post When cricket broke hearts, hockey gave India a reason to smile appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Mumbai, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) The trend that started in the cricket field ended on the astro turf as members of the Indian hockey team shook hands with Pakistani players at the end of their FIH Pro League matches, setting aside the politics and signalling a thaw in the relationships.

The Indian hockey team players shook hands with the Pakistani players at the end of both their encounters in the FIH Pro League in London, which came as a pleasant surprise to many, considering that the issue had generated a lot of heat a few months back.

Hockey players from both sides shook hands before and after the two matches, as is traditionally done in hockey. It was apparent that the Indian players did not refuse to shake hands when the Pakistani players approached them on Friday.

Suryakumar Yadav's cricket team implemented this 'no handshake policy' when it refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players during the Asia Cup T20 tournament in 2025 to honour the victims of the Pahhelgam terror attack and to stand in solidarity with the Indian armed forces. The Indian women's team and the India U-19 teams followed suit. Teams and players in other sports followed that policy and did not make any attempt to shake hands with the Pakistani players before, during, and after their matches.

The decision by Suryakumar Yadav's team made news all over the world, with global media covering India-Pakistan cricket matches just to write about it.

Shaking hands or greeting the opponent is one of the most basic things done in sports and is mostly considered a courtesy and part of the spirit of sportsmanship.

The Indian men's hockey team has broken the recent trend in India-Pakistan matches, leaving only the cricket teams implementing this policy.

The social media across the border had reacted quite positively to the Indian hockey players shaking hands with Pakistani players in the first clash between the two teams a couple of days back. With the teams shaking hands after their second match, too, it is going to get more attention and reaction from people from both countries.

Source: IANS

The post India and Pakistan players shake hands at FIH Pro League match in London appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India celebrated the men’s team’s emphatic 7-1 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the FIH Hockey Pro League in London, saying the performance reflected the team’s dominance and everything that makes Indian hockey special.

The FIH Hockey Pro League clash had everything that makes Indian hockey special. The Men in Blue delivered a commanding performance to defeat Pakistan 7-1 in London, extending India’s decade-long winning streak over the arch-rivals to now 17 matches,” Hockey India posted on X after the resounding win.

India produced one of their finest displays against Pakistan in recent years, combining clinical finishing with disciplined defending to register a memorable 7-1 victory. The Men in Blue scored through three penalty corners, a penalty stroke, and well-worked field goals to completely outclass their traditional rivals.

The Indian side dictated the pace from the opening whistle, enjoying the bulk of possession and repeatedly troubling Pakistan’s defence with swift passing and incisive attacking moves. Their relentless pressure resulted in a dominant scoreline, while the defence remained compact to restrict Pakistan to just one goal.

The victory extended India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan to 17 consecutive international matches, a streak that now spans a decade and underlines the growing gulf between the two teams in world hockey.

The commanding win also provided a major boost to India’s FIH Hockey Pro League campaign and reaffirmed the team’s credentials as one of the world’s leading hockey nations. The players celebrated passionately after the final whistle, capping a memorable evening in London.

For Pakistan, the defeat marked another disappointing chapter in the storied rivalry as they struggled to cope with India’s intensity, structure, and execution. For the Men in Blue, however, the 7-1 triumph served as another statement performance, reinforcing their dominance over their neighbours and delighting Indian hockey fans with a display of attacking flair and clinical efficiency.

Source: IANS

The post ‘Dabdaba tha, hai aur rahega’: Hockey India hails 7-1 demolition of Pakistan in FIH Pro League appeared first on Social News XYZ.

London, June 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Olympic bronze medallist India came up with a brilliant performance to fight back from a goal deficit to hand archrivals Pakistan a 7-1 thrashing in a lopsided clash in the FIH Pro League at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centres near London on Friday.

Two days after their narrow escape in the 4-3 win in their first clash with the Men in Green in the London leg of the FIH Pro League matches, India dominated the second and third quarters to score at regular intervals and handed Pakistan a big defeat in their penultimate match in the 2025-26 season of the tournament.

Sukhjeet Singh (19th min), Harmanpreet Singh (26th), Hardik (34th-PS), Jugraj Singh (35th), Abhishek (41st), Raj Kumar Pal (43rd), and Dilpreet Singh (53rd min) scored a goal apiece for India after Abu Mahmood had given Pakistan the lead in the 13th minute off their first penalty corner.

The win extended India's decade-long dominance over the archrivals and marked 17 consecutive wins against Pakistan at all levels.

With this win, India moved ahead of Spain to 7th position in the standings. India have 17 points from 15 matches while Spain, who lost to Argentina in a shoot-out on Thursday, are on 16 points from as many matches. Pakistan have zero points, having lost all 15 matches so far.

The Indians dominated the field, making 36 circle penetrations and earning 13 penalty corners, of which they scored only 3. In contrast, Pakistan made 18 circle penetrations but could not score any field goals. They earned six penalty corners but managed to convert only one.

Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh superbly marshalled the Indian midfield, while forwards Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh dominated the Pakistan defence. Hardik was adjudged the FIH Player of the Match for his superb performance.

Pakistan went ahead in the 13th minute when Abuy Mahmood converted a penalty corner to give them the lead. They Indian created some good attacks and earned three penalty corners in the first quarter, but could not score a goal. Sukhjeet Singh scored the equaliser in the 19th minute, and India went ahead in the 25th minute when skipper Harmnapreet Singh converted a PC to make it 2-1.

India took complete control of the game in the second quarter by using precise long passes to stretch the Pakistan defence. Pakistan suffered a setback in the 18th minute when a deflected pass from Ali Ghazanfar accidentally struck teammate Ahmad Nadeem on the face, forcing him off the field.

India capitalised on the momentum a minute later by earning a penalty corner. Skipper Harmanpreet fired a powerful dragflick, which was expertly deflected into the net by Sukhjeet (20’) to make it 1-1. In the 26th minute, India won another penalty corner, and this time Harmanpreet smashed it directly into the top left corner to give India a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.

The 'Men in Blue' increased their dominance in the second half. In the 34th minute, India earned consecutive penalty corners, the second of which resulted in a penalty stroke. Hardik stepped up and calmly converted it to make it 3-1. Pakistan responded quickly to win two penalty corners, but the Indian defence blocked the attempts cleanly. After blocking the second penalty corner, India launched a rapid counter-attack as the ball found Dilpreet, who combined brilliantly with Sukhjeet before setting up Jugraj (35’) to smash it home for a 4-1 lead.

India's frontline remained relentless as Sukhjeet created another opening in the 41st minute, passing to Abhishek, who scored on the run to make it 5-1. Late in the third quarter, India earned four consecutive penalty corners. On the fourth one, Raj Kumar Pal (44’) reacted quickest to guide the rebound of Harmanpreet's dragflick into the open goal, extending the lead to 6-1.

India maintained their defensive discipline in the final quarter while looking for further openings. In the 54th minute, Dilpreet capped off a brilliant move by scoring India's seventh goal of the match. Pakistan earned back-to-back penalty corners in the dying minutes of the game, but veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh stood firm to block both attempts, sealing a comprehensive 7-1 victory for India.

Source: IANS

The post FIH Pro League: Dominant India thrash Pakistan 7-1 in lopsided London clash appeared first on Social News XYZ.

London, June 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) After an intense 2-2 draw over four quarters, suffered a 1-4 shootout defeat against hosts England in the London leg of their FIH Pro League European tour at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre.

Dilpreet Singh (10' and 58') scored an impressive brace for India while David Goodfield (29') and Nicholas Bandurak (56') were on the scoresheet for England. Thomas Sorsby, James Albery and captain Zachary Wallace converted their attempts in the shootout for the hosts, besides one attempt that led to a penalty stroke, which was also scored off by Wallace.

The first half was a slightly cagey affair, but still both teams found the net and created a few chances. India made a bright start to the first quarter, claiming an early penalty corner; however, captain Harmanpreet Singh's dragflick was saved by English goalkeeper James Mazarelo. England too secured a penalty corner at the other end in the fifth minute, but Bandurak's attempt was stopped by the Indian defence.

The opening goal came in the 10th minute as Mandeep Singh dribbled along the baseline and set the perfect pass for Dilpreet Singh, who slotted the ball into the goal with a diving finish to put India ahead.

In the second quarter, India came close to extending their lead as Amandeep Lakra's dragflick from a penalty corner was heroically saved by Sorsby on the goal line. In the 29th minute, England got back on level terms courtesy of a field goal by Goodfield. The ball bounced to an unmarked Goodfield in the middle of the circle after a deflection, and he struck a strong volley to find the equalising goal for the hosts.

Defence at either end was watertight in the third quarter as it remained 1-1 despite both teams securing penalty corners and creating field-goal opportunities.

In the early minutes of the fourth quarter, Bandurak was wide open on the far post, but Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made an incredible save to keep his side in the contest.

England dominated possession but India showed great resilience to protect their post. However, the home side found another goal with four minutes left on the clock.

Bandurak (56') delivered off a low dragflick on a late penalty corner that found the bottom right corner of the goal. But the home team's lead lasted only two minutes as India bounced back in the 58th minute.

Sumit showed great skills to push towards the goal and played a solid pass to Dilpreet who struck a powerful shot, and the ball went through the legs of the goalkeeper to push the contest into shootout.

England won the shootout 4-1 to claim the bonus point. Sorsby and Albery converted England's opening two attempts before captain Wallace scored from the penalty stroke and then converted from the fourth attempt to seal the victory. captain Harmanpreet Singh was India's lone scorer in the shootout.

Source: IANS

The post India men lose to England in shootout in FIH Pro League appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian junior (U-21) men's hockey team is set for an exposure tour of Belgium, where it will play six matches against Austria, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands from July 7 to 17. The tour will serve as a key preparation phase for the squad under newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez ahead of the Men's Junior Asia Cup later this year.

India will play two matches each against Austria and Belgium, and one match apiece against Germany and the Netherlands. Five of the six fixtures will be held at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, while the final match against the Netherlands will be played at the Hockey Center of Excellence in Antwerp.

The Indian team will begin its campaign against Austria on July 7 before facing the same opponents again on July 8. The side will then take on hosts Belgium on July 10, followed by Germany on July 13 and Belgium once more on July 14. The tour will conclude with a clash against the Netherlands on July 17.

The exposure tour will provide the young Indian squad with an opportunity to compete against some of Europe's strongest hockey nations and gain valuable international experience ahead of important assignments later this year.

Ahead of the tour, Soyez said, "I am very excited about experiencing this first tour with the group. It is a great opportunity to get to know the players better in a different environment, while also laying the foundations of our playing project. Tours like this are always important because they help create shared references, strengthen team cohesion, and begin to build a real team identity."

Highlighting the importance of the matches, the coach added, "These matches are very important because they immediately put us in conditions that are close to what we will face in major competitions. They will allow us to assess our current level of performance, our ability to apply our playing principles under pressure, and also how we respond against quality opponents."

The Belgium tour is expected to offer the Indian junior side crucial exposure to different playing styles and competitive conditions as it builds towards the Junior Asia Cup.

Source: IANS

The post Indian junior men’s hockey team to tour Belgium ahead of Asia Cup appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Mumbai, June 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Defending champions Netherlands women's team has virtually secured the FIH Hockey Pro League 2025-26 title, thus becoming the first confirmed qualifier, alongside the hosts, for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

With this, the Netherlands women ’s team has continued its absolute ascendancy over the sport, adding the latest Pro League title to the five Olympic Games gold medallists and nine World Cup titles it has won over the years.

Under the new Pro League framework, the champions of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons earn automatic qualification for the upcoming Olympic Games, alongside the continental qualification routes, and the Dutch securing their sixth Pro League title in seven seasons of the competition now ensures the reigning champions will be in the United States to defend their crown.

The Netherlands team’s march to the 2025-26 crown has been typical of their modern era: precise, relentless, and devastatingly efficient. Taking on the world's absolute elite over a grueling multi-stage global calendar, the Oranje established a commanding lead at the top of the standings that their closest rivals simply could not match, winning all 11 of their matches played thus far, while one abandoned match against Argentina due to weather conditions also secured three points for them, based on the competition rules.

While the rest of the chasing pack — including Argentina and Belgium — traded blows and dropped crucial points across the season's stages, the Dutch outfit turned their fixtures into a masterclass of tactical versatility and ruthlessness on both sides of the ball.

FIH President Tayyab Ikram led the global congratulations, praising the team's unparalleled standard of play, and said, "On behalf of the International Hockey Federation, I extend my warmest congratulations to the reigning women’s Olympic Hockey Champions, the Netherlands, for capturing another FIH Hockey Pro League title. To win a league of this calibre against the highest-ranked teams in the world requires unmatched consistency and excellence. By securing their place at the LA28 Olympic Games so decisively, the Dutch women have once again proven themselves to be the benchmark of world hockey. We look forward to seeing them bring their incredible brand of hockey to Los Angeles."

"On behalf of the International Hockey Federation, I extend my warmest congratulations to the reigning women’s Olympic Hockey Champions, the Netherlands, for capturing another FIH Hockey Pro League title. To win a league of this calibre against the highest-ranked teams in the world requires unmatched consistency and excellence. By securing their place at the LA28 Olympic Games so decisively, the Dutch women have once again proven themselves to be the benchmark of world hockey. We look forward to seeing them bring their incredible brand of hockey to Los Angeles," he added.

While the Pro League trophy remains one of the sport's most prestigious pieces of annual silverware, the underlying prize of an automatic slot at the LA28 Olympic Games added massive pressure to this season's campaign.

By sealing the top spot, the Netherlands can now plan their entire quadrennial Olympic cycle with total clarity, allowing them to focus their planning and energy towards individual competitions, detached from the ramifications related to Olympic qualification.

The Netherlands are officially the first women's hockey team (alongside host nation USA) to secure their spot in the Los Angeles 2028 lineup. They will enter LA28 targeting a historic third successive gold medal, keeping their dynasty intact.

The remaining elite women’s hockey nations will turn their focus to the upcoming Continental Championships, the Olympic Qualifiers, and the next season of the Pro League to fight for the remaining coveted spots on the plane to Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the men’s side in the Pro League continue to jostle for the top spot and the ticket to LA28, with Belgium in pole position for the title, while England and Australia remain in the hunt as well.

An official trophy presentation ceremony will take place on the final day of the Pro League season — June 28, where the undisputed champions of women’s hockey will officially lift the trophy in front of some of the most passionate hockey fans in Wavre, Belgium.

Source: IANS

The post FIH Pro League 2025-26: Netherlands women crowned champions, secure LA28 Olympic ticket appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India congratulated veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia for being conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Celebrating the achievement, Hockey India described Savita as a “true icon” of Indian sport and said the honour was a fitting recognition of her immense contribution to Indian hockey over more than a decade.

“A Padma Shri for a true icon. Indian women’s hockey stalwart Savita receives the Padma Shri from Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Indian sport. A richly deserved honour for a player who has guarded India’s goalpost with distinction for over a decade, inspiring millions through her excellence, resilience and leadership,” Hockey India wrote on X.

Reacting to the prestigious honour, an emotional Savita told IANS that the award was a matter of immense pride not only for her but also for her family and teammates who stood by her throughout her journey.

“I am feeling very good because it is a very big award in itself. When I started playing hockey, I never thought that my journey would be so long and that I would receive such a big individual honour. It is a big thing for me, my family and my team,” Savita said.

Reflecting on the challenges she faced during her career, she credited her family for helping her overcome difficult moments.

“There were many circumstances when I thought I would have to stop playing. But because of the support of my family, I continued my hockey journey. Today my family is here with me, and everyone is very happy. Being a girl from a middle-class family, getting so much support from my parents feels very special,” she added.

Savita said her journey should serve as an inspiration for young girls across the country.

“A good example is set for everyone that if Savita can do it, then our girls can also do it. This feels very good. If you are in any field, you should have passion, dedication and patience. Today’s generation wants quick outcomes, but in sports you face many challenges and struggles. Injuries are a big part of the game. There is no shortcut to success. You have to be patient and work hard,” she said.

One of the most accomplished goalkeepers in Indian hockey history, Savita made her senior international debut at the age of 20 and has since established herself among the world’s finest custodians. Her composure, consistency and leadership have been instrumental in India’s rise on the global stage.

In 2025, she became only the second Indian goalkeeper after PR Sreejesh to complete 300 international caps, underlining her longevity and excellence at the highest level.

Savita played a crucial role in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, a campaign that transformed the profile of women’s hockey in the country. She was also a key member of the teams that competed at the Rio Olympics and reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup.

As captain, Savita led India to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and guided the side to the FIH Nations Cup title. Under her leadership, India also clinched back-to-back Women’s Asian Champions Trophy titles in 2023 and 2024.

Savita received the Arjuna Award in 2018 and was named Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. She also won the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award in three consecutive seasons, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23, further cementing her legacy as one of India’s greatest-ever goalkeepers.

Source: IANS

The post ‘A richly deserved honour’: Hockey India congratulates Savita Punia on Padma Shri appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India has announced the 24-member junior women's squad for the exposure tour of the United Kingdom, scheduled from July 5 to 14. Under its new coach Tim White, the team will play seven matches across Scotland and England as part of its preparations for upcoming international competitions, including the Junior Asia Cup.

The young squad will be led by captain Khaidem Shileima Chanu, with Nidhi and Engil Harsha Rani Minz as the two goalkeepers. The defensive unit comprises Pooja Sahoo, Supriya, Madhu, F. Lalbi Aksiami, Lalneihpuii and Parwati Topno.

The midfield features captain Chanu, Tanuja Toppo, Supriya Kujur, Pooja Malik, Binima Dhan, Geeta Yadav, Roshni Aind and Tanushree Dinesh Kadu.

The forward line includes Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Kajal, Sanika Chandrakant Mane and Krishna Sharma.

The nine-day exposure tour will begin with two matches against the Scotland Senior Women's Team at the University of Edinburgh, followed by games against fellow junior sides from the United States, England and Belgium at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

Through this competitive experience, coach White will look to fine-tune combinations and strategies to prepare for the tournaments ahead.

“The tour to the UK is an important part of the development process for our junior squad. We have selected an exciting young group, many of whom have not had exposure to foreign teams, so it will be a great learning opportunity for individuals and for the group as a team,” said White, commenting on the squad and the significance of the tour.

"As we will be playing against highly-competitive opposition, we expect to be challenged. However, we will take every game as a learning opportunity while also implementing the way of play we have been working on for the last 10 weeks. I’m certain this will be great preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup as we will use this tour to confirm our strengths as a team and also the key areas we need to improve," the coach added to conclude.

Indian Junior Women's Team for UK Tour:

Goalkeepers: Nidhi, Engil Harsha Rani Minz

Defenders: Pooja Sahoo, Supriya, Madhu, F. Lalbi Aksiami, Lalneihpuii, Parwati Topno

Midfielders: Khaidem Shileima Chanu (c), Tanuja Toppo, Supriya Kujur, Pooja Malik, Binima Dhan, Geeta Yadav, Roshni Aind, Tanushree Dinesh Kadu

Forwards: Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Kajal, Sanika Chandrakant Mane, Krishna Sharma

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India names junior women’s squad for UK tour appeared first on Social News XYZ.

London, June 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men’s hockey team started the London leg of their FIH Pro League European tour with a thrilling 4-3 victory over archrivals Pakistan at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre near London on Tuesday.

After a slow start in the opening quarter, India found their rhythm and went on to secure their third outright win of this Pro League season, thwarting a late scare by Pakistan. The victory moved India up to the seventh position in the points table.

Goals from Abhishek (22’), Nilakanta Sharma (24’), Sukhjeet Singh (40’), and Rajinder Singh (52’) guided India home in the high-voltage encounter.

The match began with both teams playing cautiously and trading early circle entries. Pakistan earned the first breakthrough in the 8th minute when Ahmad Nadeem capitalised on a penalty corner routine to make it 1-0. India immediately responded with aggressive attacks but struggled to find the goal-scoring touch.

In the final minute of the first quarter, India won three consecutive penalty corners. Still, Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Raza made a fine save against skipper Harmanpreet Singh's dragflick, which was the nearest India came to scoring off those back-to-back short corners.

India turned up the heat with quick passing in the second quarter to find an equaliser. In the 22nd minute, Dilpreet Singh's powerful shot was padded away by Raza, but Abhishek quickly pounced on the rebound to make it 1-1. Three minutes later, India won another penalty corner, where Nilakanta reacted the sharpest to the rebound and smashed the ball through the goalkeeper's legs to put India ahead 2-1.

Goalkeeper Raza then stood tall for Pakistan later in the quarter, saving scoring attempts from penalty corners off the stick of Jugraj Singh in the 28th minute and Harmanpreet a minute later to keep the score 2-1 at halftime.

Pakistan increased their tempo in the third quarter, producing multiple circle entries, but the Indian backline held firm. Defender Amit Rohidas showed great composure to break up a dangerous two-on-one counter-attack led by Pakistan's Nadeem. India then extended their lead in the 40th minute when Abhishek set up Sukhjeet inside the circle, who produced a handsome finish to make it 3-1.

The final quarter was filled with late drama as Pakistan pushed hard to reduce the deficit. After the Indian defence blocked back-to-back penalty corners in the 51st minute, the strikers launched a swift counter-attack to earn a PC in the 52nd minute. In a clever routine, Harmanpreet acted as a decoy, allowing Rajinder to fire the ball past substitute goalkeeper Waqar, which made it 4-1.

Pakistan fought back immediately as captain Abu Mahmood (53’) scored from a penalty-corner flick through the legs of Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera to make it 4-2. Jugraj missed a chance from India's 11th penalty corner in the 56th minute, setting up a tense finish.

With just 14 seconds left on the clock, Pakistan’s Moin Shakeel (60’) scored on a rebound during a penalty-corner routine to make it 4-3, but India held their nerve in the final seconds to secure a hard-fought win.

Source: IANS

The post Men’s FIH Pro League: India beat Pakistan 4-3 in thrilling London-leg opener (Ld) appeared first on Social News XYZ.

London, June 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) India fought back from a goal deficit to hand archrivals Pakistan a narrow 4-3 defeat in a thrilling, well-fought encounter, their first match of the London-leg in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Tuesday.

Nadeem Ahmad gave Pakistan an early lead by scoring in the 8th minute of the match, but Harmanpreet Singh's Indian team came back strongly in the second quarter, scoring twice before adding a goal each in the third and fourth quarters to take a commanding lead.

However, Craig Fulton's side made a few errors in the last 10 minutes of the match and allowed Pakistan to score twice to narrow the victory margin and make it a tense affair.

Abhishek (21st), Nilakanta Sharma (24th), Sukhjeet Singh (34th), and Rajinder Singh (52nd) scored for India while Abu Mahmood (53rd) and Moin Shakeel (60th) reduced the margin after Nadeem Ahmad had given Pakistan the lead against the run of play in the first quarter. All three of Pakistan's goals came from penalty corners.

This is India's third outright win in 13 matches in the Pro League as they moved to 13 points. Harmanpreet Singh's side has won one match in a shoot-out while drawing two matches, and have lost seven games. Pakistan have lost all 13 of their matches so far.

With this win, India also continued their recent dominance over the neighbours. They have not lost to Pakistan at the senior and junior levels since 2016. Pakistan’s Junior team lost 5-3 to India in the Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan recently.

The Indians held the upper hand on all parameters of the game. The Men in Blue made 30 circle penetrations for just nine by their opponents, earned 11 PCs to 8 by Pakistan. They, however, could convert only two PCs while the Men in Green scored three goals.

With this win, India continued their good performance on the ongoing tour of Europe for the last two rounds of FIH Pro League action. In the previous leg in Rotterdam, they had defeated the reigning World Champion Germany and the hosts Netherlands in key matches.

The win moves India to seventh spot in the nine-team points table, overtaking Spain (11 points from 12 games). Pakistan, with zero points, is at the bottom.

The Men in Blue will meet Pakistan once again in this round on June 26 after taking on hosts England in their next match on Wednesday. They will round off their campaign in the FIH Pro league against England on June 29 at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London.

Source: IANS

The post Hockey: Resurgent India prevail over Pakistan 4-3 in FIH Pro League appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) After lifting the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup 2025-26 in New Zealand, members of the Indian women's hockey team's drag-flicking unit have credited the specialised training camp conducted by Dutch legend Taeke Taekema, whose expertise proved to be a key factor behind their improved penalty-corner execution through the tournament.

Taekema, one of the finest drag-flickers in world hockey history, joined the Indian team during their preparatory tour of Australia in May and continued working with the squad's drag-flickers through their time in New Zealand ahead of the Nations Cup, under its chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.

As a result of their hard work in the camps, India scored 13 goals from penalty corners through the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26. Deepika finished as the tournament's joint-top scorer with six goals, all of them converted from penalty corners.

Reflecting on the camp, Deepika said, “The dragflicking camp this time was a lot more detailed. We just didn’t work on the pitch, but also spent time watching videos of other teams to see how their defensive structure is, how the goalkeeper is positioned, and more details. That helped me a lot. Taekema has always been helping me understand these minute details. He also made me realise the importance of staying calm and focused in pressure situations - to execute my skills to the best of my abilities. The result is not always in our control, but we need to stick to our process and routines, even when things aren’t going our way.”

Lalthantluangi, who has also been working on building her drag-flicking abilities, spoke about the technical grounding the camp gave her game. "I have been particularly learning the drag flick. As a beginner, it has been a fantastic challenge. Coordinated movements -- like body rotation and balance -- rather than just using muscle, and for me, the important part is the pick-up point. I've had to break the technique down, watch countless breakdowns of my footwork, and practice consistently. It's taught me a lot about patience, the value of learning from my mistakes, and how to stay disciplined and focused while practising.”

“Taeke is incredibly patient. He understands me very well. His calm helped me when I was struggling with my technique, allowing me to process and improve steadily”, she added.

Meanwhile, Annu highlighted that the camp gave her a stronger sense of belief heading into the tournament. "Training under someone with Taeke's experience gave me a lot of confidence going into a tournament as big as the Nations Cup. It helped me trust my technique more and stay composed under pressure during crucial moments. Winning the title made all the hard work in those sessions feel worth it."

Source: IANS

The post India’s drag-flickers credit Taekema-led specialised camp for contributing to Nations Cup success appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men’s hockey team is set for a high-intensity London leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26, scheduled to be played from June 23 to 28, headlined by two matches against arch-rivals Pakistan. India will take on Pakistan and host England twice each in a crucial set of fixtures following a strong showing in the Rotterdam leg of the tournament.

The India-Pakistan encounters are understandably the most anticipated fixtures of the leg, reigniting one of hockey’s most storied rivalries on the international stage. Both matches are expected to draw significant attention as the two Asian rivals meet for the first time in nearly two years.

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir, China, where India secured a 2-1 victory. The head-to-head over the last 10 years is dominatingly in favour of India, who remain undefeated across 17 encounters, with 15 wins and two draws.

India head into the London leg of the FIH Pro League following an encouraging campaign in the Netherlands, where they secured two outright wins from four matches. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side began with a narrow 2-3 defeat against the hosts before bouncing back with a 3-1 victory over reigning World Champions Germany. India then suffered a 1-2 loss in the return fixture against Germany, but finished the Rotterdam leg strongly with an impressive 3-2 win over the Netherlands.

Speaking ahead of the matches against Pakistan and England, India’s chief coach Craig Fulton said, “We had some very promising performances in the Netherlands leg. We worked very hard in the build-up, and so it’s good to see the consistency coming through.”

On the fixtures against Pakistan, he stressed the importance of staying disciplined, adding, “For us, it’s important that we treat the fixture against Pakistan like any other game and focus on our processes. If we really do that well, then the result takes care of itself.”

Looking ahead to the challenge against the hosts, Fulton said, “England is one of the teams in form and playing well. Our squad is feeling confident and looking forward to the England block.”

India are currently eighth on the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 points table with 10 points. Hosts England are second with 26 points, while Pakistan are ninth and yet to secure a point. All three teams have played 12 matches each heading into the London leg.

India’s opening match in London will be against Pakistan on June 23 before facing England on June 25. The team will then take on Pakistan once again on June 26 before concluding the tour with a second encounter against England on June 28.

Source: IANS

The post India’s double-header against Pakistan headlines London leg of FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Auckland, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) India registered a phenomenal title win at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 in Auckland on Sunday, defeating the hosts 2-0 in a thrilling final. This spectacular victory earned the team a well-deserved promotion to the next season of the FIH Pro League.

India remained unbeaten throughout their dominant campaign, defeating the USA, Japan and Uruguay in the pool stage; Chile in the semi-finals; and New Zealand in the final.

The title-deciding match saw early goals from Navneet Kaur in the fourth minute and Sunelita Toppo in the 15th, which proved decisive. Striker Lalremsiami secured the ‘Player of the Match’ award for her exceptional performance in the final, while drag-flicker Deepika finished as the joint top-scorer of the tournament with six goals. She shared the honours with USA’s Ashley Sessa.

To honour the team’s achievement, Hockey India announced a cash reward of INR 3 lakh for each player and INR 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.

Expressing immense satisfaction after the team's victory, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne praised the growth of the squad. "Of course, we are delighted to win our first tournament and final together. It was crucial for us to learn how to win finals, especially after our recent heartbreak against England at the World Cup qualifier. The team improved with every match. We relied on a very strong and well-organised defence,” he said.

“While we created enough opportunities to score more, that remains an area where we must keep working. Our penalty-corner conversion was very good throughout this tournament. If we can achieve a higher conversion rate for field goals, that will be fantastic. It is never easy to win a tournament when you enter as the highest-ranked team. We showed that we can manage that pressure well. Moving forward, playing against the top teams in the world will provide an important learning process for our youngsters. Testing ourselves at the highest level is exactly what we need to grow to the next tier."

Captain Salima Tete echoed Marijne's sentiments and highlighted the intense preparation behind the victory. "It feels absolutely amazing to lift this trophy. Our entire team worked incredibly hard for this moment. We entered this tournament with a clear mindset to bring the trophy home. Securing promotion back to the Pro League was extremely important for us. I am proud that we achieved our goal,” the skipper said.

“With the World Cup approaching, this victory provides a massive boost to our confidence. The team is playing with a very strong mindset right now. Every single match in this tournament was highly important for us. This win gives us the perfect momentum for our future preparations," Salima concluded.

Source: IANS

The post ‘We had a clear mindset to bring the trophy home,’ says captain Salima on India’s title win at Nations Cup appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Rotterdam, June 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Men’s Hockey Team produced a resilient performance to defeat the Netherlands 3-2 in their last match of the FIH Pro League Rotterdam leg at Hockey Club Rotterdam on Sunday.

Goals from Jugraj Singh (18’), Abhishek (27’), and Rajinder Singh (56’) helped India secure their second outright victory of the leg against the Dutch side. Stand-in captain Hardik Singh was named Player of the Match for his exceptional leadership and midfield display.

The Netherlands started the match strongly in the first quarter, showcasing impressive passing and putting the Indian backline under early pressure. Though India had a slightly shaky start, the defenders quickly found their rhythm and contained the Dutch attackers. India created a few entries into the opposition circle but could not find the final pass, leaving the first quarter goalless.

India increased the intensity in the second quarter and immediately won their first penalty corner. Jugraj Singh (18’) fired a powerful drag-flick to the left of Dutch goalkeeper Derk Meijer to make it 1-0. The Netherlands responded instantly, equalising through a penalty corner goal by Pepijn van der Heijden (19’). The hosts continued to press, testing the Indian goalkeeper, but the Indian defence held firm. In the 27th minute, Jarmanpreet Singh set up a brilliant pass for Abhishek, who smashed a backhand shot into the net to restore India’s lead at 2-1 before halftime.

In the second half, India looked to control the game through neat passing, while a determined Dutch side kept making inroads into the Indian circle. The Netherlands won a penalty corner in the 41st minute, but Amit Rohidas comfortably deflected van der Heijden’s shot. Another penalty corner opportunity for the hosts was wasted due to a mistake by the stopper, allowing a composed Indian side to sustain their 2-1 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter saw the Netherlands pushing hard for an equaliser, but errors in the penalty corner setup continued to frustrate the hosts. India remained composed, avoiding unnecessary risks. In the 56th minute, a quick counter-attack by Dilpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh created a dangerous two-on-one situation. While Dutch player Joppe Wolbert made an extraordinary save, he was handed a yellow card for a foul during the play. India capitalised on the resulting penalty corner, with Rajinder Singh (56’) drag-flicking it straight into the goal to make it 3-1.

Down to 10 men, the Netherlands won three consecutive penalty corners in the 58th minute, but the Indian penalty corner defence blocked them all. The hosts finally pulled a goal back in the 59th minute through a clever penalty corner variation completed by Koen Bijen (59’) to make it 3-2. India won a penalty corner in the final ten seconds of the match, and though it was blocked, the final whistle blew to seal a hard-fought three points for India.

Source: IANS

The post Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, and Rajinder Singh score as visitors edge past hosts Netherlands in Rotterdam appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pakistan hockey team captain Ammad Butt was not refused UK visa on an infringement of over staying in the country two years ago, but the Federation messed up the matter which required the player to appear in an interview, a report said.

The goofup means Butt will not be able to participate in the upcoming round of the FIH Pro League 2025/26 in London, reported Telecom Asia Sport

"The incompetence of Pakistan Hockey Federation has nearly deprived Butt to feature in the last leg of Pro League 2026," reported Telecom Asia Sport.

"It was initially told that Butt had overstayed in UK during his last visit three years ago which was caught and he was denied UK visa.

Butt was playing league hockey in UK and the Pakistan Hockey Federation promised him to get his visa extended but the administration slacked in the process and his visa expired.

"But it was not the case and now it has come to the fore that the British High Commission had emailed the Federation to make Butt available for a visa interview but the officials delayed the matter.

"TO add to Butt's woes, the Federation has issued a return ticket for Butt and has directed him to return," said report. "Butt will now appear in interview on phone and is likely to get UK visa but it is not known whether the Federation will send him to UK or not."

Report said Federation's negligence also smacks of an intrigue against Butt.

"Some influential people want Butt to be replaced as skipper and this visa chaos is only because of that," said report.

If Butt is not sent to UK, another senior player Abu Bakar will lead Pakistan team in the final leg during which Pakistan faced India on June 23 and 26 and England on June 24 and 27.

Pakistan have lost all their 12 matches in the Pro League which has left them on the brink of elimination from next year's edition of the League. They need at least two wins in the last four matches.

On their recent trip to Belgium, Pakistan have lost 7-1 and 6-0 to Belgium and 5-1 and 4-2 to Speain.

Telecom Asia Sport said PHF was in any way wanted to sack Butt as results were poor under his captaincy. The federation wanted another senior player Hanan Shahid to lead the side but unfortunately Shahid got injured and missed the recent trip.

Former Pakistan player Waseem Feroze has lashed out at team's performance.

"It is a waste of money to send the team to Pro League," Feroze told Telecomasia. "Instead of spending millions of dollars on this failed campaign the Federation should have spent the money at grassroot level to improve hockey."

Source: IANS

The post Federation messed Pakistan hockey captain’s UK visa matter: Report appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian women’s hockey team after it clinched the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 title, saying the players had brought “pride and joy” to the country with their outstanding achievement.

“Indian hockey players bring pride and joy! Congratulations to the women’s team for emerging as winners in the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup. The team played exceptionally well throughout the entire tournament. Best wishes to the team. May this win inspire several others to play hockey,” Modi posted on X after India defeated hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the final in Auckland on Sunday.

India delivered a strong all-around performance to win its second Nations Cup title and earn promotion to next season’s FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League. Navneet Kaur started off well for India by scoring from a penalty corner in the fourth minute. Sunelita Toppo then doubled the lead in the 15th minute with a clever deflection from Deepika’s sharp shot.

This victory capped an unbeaten run for India, which led Pool A with wins against the USA (3-2), Japan (2-1), and Uruguay (3-2). India also crushed Chile 6-0 in the semifinal. This win marked India’s second Nations Cup title after they claimed the first edition in 2022.

New Zealand controlled the ball early in the final, but India made the most of its first real chance when Navneet scored from a penalty corner with a strong hit. The visitors kept pressuring on the counterattack and extended their lead through their fifth penalty corner in the first quarter as Sunelita redirected Deepika’s shot into the net.

India stayed disciplined in the second quarter while New Zealand looked for a way back into the game. Both teams had chances, but neither could score, leaving India firmly in control at halftime.

In the second half, India’s defense took the spotlight. With a well-organized backline and goalkeeper Savita, India kept New Zealand from having clear scoring chances. Navneet almost scored again after taking advantage of a defensive mistake, but her reverse shot was saved.

New Zealand earned a penalty corner early in the final quarter, but Savita made a key save to maintain India’s two-goal lead. The visitors continued to defend strongly and confidently finished the match with a 2-0 win

Lalremsiami was named Player of the Match for her performance in the final. Deepika ended the tournament as one of the highest scorers with six goals, sharing the top spot with Ashley Sessa from the USA

To celebrate this achievement, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for every support staff member.

Source: IANS

The post ‘May this win inspire several others to play hockey’, says PM Modi after women’s team lift Nations Cup title appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Auckland, June 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian won the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 by beating the hosts 2-0 in the final, here on Sunday.

Navneet Kaur (4’) scored the opening goal for India, followed by Sunelita Toppo (15’) adding a second. The team delivered an outstanding defensive performance to secure their victory and claim the title, also ensuring their spot in the FIH Hockey Women’s Pro League next season.

Lalremsiami received the 'Player of the Match' award in the final, while Deepika finished as the top scorer of the tournament with six goals, sharing the accolade with USA’s Ashley Sessa.

This marks India’s second Nations Cup victory, following their first win at the inaugural tournament in 2022. India stayed unbeaten during the event, beating USA (3-2), Japan (2-1), and Uruguay (3-2) in the Pool A matches. They then secured a decisive 6-0 win against Chile in the semi-final. In the final, they showcased a strong performance to win the title with a 2-0 defeat of New Zealand.

To celebrate the teams' accomplishments, Hockey India announced a cash prize of INR 3 lakh for each player and INR 1.5 lakh for support staff members.

“Glory. Gratitude, Recognition. To honour Team India's FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup 2025-26 title win, Hockey India announces a cash award of Rs3 lakh for each player and Rs1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff. A fitting reward for a team that made the nation proud,” Hockey India said in a statement on X.

In Sunday's title match, the hosts controlled much of the possession early on as they aimed to establish an advantage. However, the visitors created the first significant chance when Navneet earned a penalty corner. She scored from this set piece with a powerful strike in the 4th minute, giving India the lead.

India excelled in transition, creating numerous challenges for New Zealand's defense with their energy. They extended their lead in the first quarter's fifth penalty corner when Sunelita Toppo redirected a sharp attempt from Deepika, making it 2-0 in the 15th minute.

In the second quarter, India remained disciplined, while New Zealand started to find their rhythm and look for a comeback. The visitors also had a few chances to narrow the gap, but neither team scored again, leaving India with a two-goal lead at halftime.

India stayed resolute in the third quarter, showcasing a strong defensive effort that prevented the hosts from creating any clear goal-scoring chances. Their high-intensity play forced an error in New Zealand’s defense, but Navneet’s reverse shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

In the fourth quarter, New Zealand was awarded a penalty corner early on. However, Savita saved the set-piece, preserving India’s two-goal lead. The visitors continued to excel in their disciplined defensive organization and ultimately won 2-0, securing the title.

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India announces Rs 3L cash prize after India beat NZ to win FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Auckland, June 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Women’s Hockey Team registered their fourth consecutive win, securing a dominant 6-0 victory against Chile in the semi-finals of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 in Auckland on Saturday.

Navneet Kaur (6’, 13’), Deepika (14’, 18’), Neha (32’) and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (39’) found the back of the net for India, while captain Salima Tete was adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for her all-round performance as India booked their place in the final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final to be played between the USA and hosts New Zealand.

After an encouraging start to the game that saw India control possession in the early exchanges, they earned their first penalty corner in the 6th minute. Navneet made the opportunity count as her shot rifled into the corner of the goal to give India the lead.

India added a cushion in the 13th minute after an exquisite run and cross from Salima from the left flank found Navneet unmarked in front of the Chilean post to deflect the ball in for her second goal. Dragflicker Deepika further extended India’s advantage through a penalty corner in the 14th minute and quickly made it 4-0 as she scored again off a set-piece in the 18th minute.

Deepika’s brace took her to the top of the goal-scorers' charts in the tournament with six goals to her name.

Heading into the second half with a healthy 4-0 lead, India continued to pile on the pressure on the Chileans. Neha converted another penalty corner in the 32nd minute, which swelled India's lead to 5-0 and extended a clinical display of short-corner execution. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal joined in the goal-fest in the 39th minute when she sounded the board with a reverse hit from open play, which made it 6-0.

Savita was called into action by the Chilean forwards in the final quarter and made a couple of brilliant saves. However, Chile could not manage to find a way past her as India saw out the remaining minutes for a commanding 6-0 win to book their place in the title clash.

Source: IANS

The post Dominant India put six past Chile to book their place in the final of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup appeared first on Social News XYZ.

New Delhi, June 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) India drag-flicker Deepika credited the specialised training camps conducted for the national women's hockey team for helping players sharpen their skills and perform at a higher level, as India advanced to the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup in Auckland.

"The specialised camp allowed us to work closely with experienced coaches and focus on parts of our game that need attention. The guidance and feedback we received were invaluable. I am thankful to Hockey India for creating and supporting opportunities like this that help us keep learning, growing, and performing better," Deepika said.

Five players who attended the specialised camps organised by Anandana played key roles in India's strong showing at the tournament. India topped Pool A with wins over the United States, Japan, and Uruguay, securing a spot in the semifinals and moving closer to qualifying for the FIH Pro League.

Deepika has become one of the stars of the competition. The drag-flick specialist from Hisar, Haryana, scored twice from penalty corners in India's first win over the United States and added another two goals against Uruguay as India clinched a 3-2 victory to finish first in the group. With four goals, she is now tied for the lead in scoring for the tournament.

Goalkeepers Savita from Sirsa, Haryana, and Bichu Devi Kharibam from Thoubal, Manipur, have performed well in goal, providing stability and confidence to the defense throughout the competition.

Defender Lalthantluangi from Thenzawl, Mizoram, and forward Annu from Jind, Haryana, have also been important as India kept an unbeaten record in the pool stage.

The training program included an 11-day specialised goalkeeping camp at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru. This camp was led by noted goalkeeper coach David Williamson and supervised by chief coach Sjoerd Marijne. The focus was on improving technical skills, game awareness, and decision-making.

The players also gained from a specialised drag-flicking and penalty-corner camp led by former international drag-flick expert Taeke Taekema during the Indian women's team's tour of Australia and New Zealand. These sessions focused on penalty-corner execution and overall team preparation.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey praised the players' performances and emphasised the value of quality training. "It's wonderful to see these athletes performing so well at the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup. Savita and Bichu have been exceptional in goal; Deepika's penalty corner strikes against the USA were remarkable. We are proud of their achievements," Tirkey said.

Source: IANS

The post Specialised camps helped us perform better, says Deepika as India reach Nations Cup semis appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Rotterdam, June 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men’s hockey team put up a strong fight against reigning world champions Germany but narrowly went down 1-2 in their third match of the FIH Pro League 2025-26 Rotterdam leg on Friday (IST).

Jugraj Singh (38’) marked his 100th international appearance with a goal, before late strikes from Justus Weigand (56’) and Jakob Brilla (60’) turned the game in Germany’s favour.

India started the game on the front foot, controlling possession and building early momentum to keep Germany under pressure. With a compact defensive structure, India denied the World Champions space and restricted them from creating clear-cut chances.

The Indian side raised the intensity in the second quarter with an aggressive high press, forcing errors from Germany. Abhishek created India’s best chance of the first half after a well-worked build-up, but the opportunity went unfinished.

In a tightly contested match where chances were limited, India continued to dominate possession and were rewarded in the third quarter. After earning their first penalty corner of the game, India took the lead through Jugraj Singh, who marked his milestone 100th appearance with a powerful drag-flick in the 38th minute.

Germany earned a couple of penalty corners towards the end of the third quarter, but goalkeeper Mohith HS stood firm to ensure India carried their one-goal advantage into the final period.

India had opportunities to extend their lead in the final quarter, with penalty corners and an open-play chance for Shilanand Lakra. However, Germany fought back and found the equaliser in the 56th minute through Justus Weigand, who converted a penalty corner to make it 1-1.

With just seconds remaining on the clock, Germany earned another penalty corner and Jakob Brilla found the winning goal in the 60th minute to seal a 2-1 victory for the world champions.

India will take on the Netherlands in their next match on Sunday.

Source: IANS

The post India go down fighting against Germany in FIH Pro League clash appeared first on Social News XYZ.

Rotterdam, June 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India extended its heartfelt congratulations to Indian men's hockey team defender and dragflicker Jugraj Singh, who achieved the milestone of 100 international caps on Thursday during India's FIH Pro League match against Germany in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Jugraj, who hails from Amritsar, Punjab, made his senior international debut in 2022 during the FIH Pro League matches in South Africa and quickly established himself as an integral part of the Indian backline. He is highly regarded across the hockey circuit for his lethal dragflicks, and his robust defensive capabilities make him a vital asset to the team.

Over his career, 29-year-old Jugraj has been a central figure in several historic triumphs for the nation. He was a member of the gold medal-winning Asia Cup 2025 team in Rajgir, Bihar. His impressive list of achievements also includes gold medals at the 2023 and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai and China, respectively, and a silver medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Expressing his delight on reaching the milestone, Jugraj said, "It is an absolute honour to complete 100 international matches for India. Wearing the national jersey has been my lifelong dream. I am truly delighted to reach this milestone today and want to express my deepest gratitude to my family for their unconditional support. I also want to thank Hockey India, my coaches, and my teammates for always believing in my abilities and pushing me to excel."

He added, "Every single match for India teaches you something new. This journey has given me incredible memories. My goal is to continue working hard and keep contributing to the team's success. I want to play for India for as long as possible and win many more laurels for the country."

Meanwhile, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey praised Jugraj for his dedication and consistency.

"Hockey India congratulates Jugraj on completing 100 international caps. He has progressed remarkably since making his debut. His fierce penalty-corner conversions and solid defence make him a crucial asset for the national team. Reaching this landmark shows his hard work and commitment to the sport. We wish him the very best and look forward to seeing him achieve greater heights," the President said.

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also lauded the defender's milestone.

"Completing 100 matches is a proud moment for any player. Jugraj has shown great resilience and growth over the last four years. He has consistently delivered in high-pressure situations for the national team. His journey inspires many young dragflickers across India, and we commend his dedication and wish him a long and successful career ahead," the Secretary General said.

Source: IANS

The post Hockey India congratulates Jugraj Singh on completing 100 international caps appeared first on Social News XYZ.