Indian men and women hockey teams to have month-long foreign camps

Indian men and women hockey teams to have month-long foreign camps
Hockey India

The Indian men and women hockey teams will return to competitive action for the first time in over a year with Asian Champions Trophy in March 2021. The last time the teams took to the hockey field was in February 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic started to wreak havoc around the world. The national camps have however been in progress over the course of the last 3 months in Bengaluru before they broke for the winter.

It has now been reported by sources from the camp according to Hindustan Times that a month-long camp abroad is being planned by Hockey India in order to train players for the Champions Trophy and to keep them in shape and fitness. The camp is also planned to include practice matches against local hockey clubs. The dates and schedule for the same are yet to be finalized but will be finalized soon.

Argentina and South Africa – the contenders to host the camp

The Hockey National Camp in Bengaluru

The Hindustan Times reported that Hockey India have sent proposals to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for a camp in Argentina for women and either South Africa or Argentina for men. “The proposals have been received and are being evaluated,” a SAI source said as reported. Travel restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic situations in these countries will influence the final decision.

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“Though Argentina and South Africa were considered, it is likely to be South Africa as some more teams are planning to be there around the same time because of limited Covid-19 restrictions and prepare for Pro League. We can have some good matches with them,” the source reportedly added.

Speaking about the road ahead, “With Hockey India we are currently planning for training and matches in January. Depending on the length of the trip and how many players we take we hopefully will get to play approximately eight games. This should provide a very good level of test as to where we are at, providing the rest of February to prepare properly for the Asian Champions Trophy in March,” head coach Graham Reid had said in an interview with Hindustan Times.

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