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India vs Japan: Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 Semifinal PreviewIndia will face Japan in the semifinals of the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 on Thursday, November 19, at 4:45 PM IST. The match will be played in Rajgir, Bihar, and will be telecast live on Sony Sports network and streamed live on Sony LIV.India has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all five of their group stage matches. They defeated Japan 3-0 in their final group stage encounter. Japan, on the other hand, finished second in their group with three wins and two losses.India will be looking to continue their unbeaten run and secure a place in the final. They have a strong team led by captain Savita Punia, who has been in excellent form in goal. Other key players for India include Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, and Gurjit Kaur.Japan will be hoping to cause an upset and reach the final. They have a talented team led by captain Yuri Nagai. Other key players for Japan include Yui Ishibashi, Hazuki Nagai, and Shihori Oikawa.The match is expected to be a close and exciting contest. India will be the favorites, but Japan will be determined to prove their worth. The winner of the match will advance to the final, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between China and South Korea.

The revival of the Hockey India League (HIL) has sparked excitement among hockey enthusiasts, with former captain Sardar Singh expressing optimism about its impact on the sport. The league's return after a seven-year hiatus is expected to revitalize Indian hockey and provide a platform for young players to showcase their talent.Over 1,000 players have registered for the HIL 2024-25 Players' Auction, scheduled for October 13-14 (men's) and October 15 (women's). The league's comeback is seen as a significant step towards reviving Indian hockey's golden era."The HIL will be bigger and better this time around," said Sardar Singh. "With a Women's league being held concurrently, the League is set to revive Indian hockey's golden era."The HIL provides a high-performance environment for players, allowing them to compete against and alongside some of the best in the world. This exposure to different cultures and mindsets creates a valuable learning experience for young players.Sardar Singh, who captained the Indian team at the age of 21, believes the HIL has played a crucial role in identifying and grooming talented players. "Current mainstays in the team; Harmanpreet, Mandeep, Sumit and many more were identified and groomed in the HIL," he said.The league's return is expected to expand the pool of potential players for the Indian Hockey Teams. By providing a platform for young players to gain experience at the highest level, the HIL will contribute to the development of a stronger and more competitive national team.The HIL's impact extends beyond the field, fostering a sense of community and passion for hockey. The league's return is a testament to the sport's enduring popularity in India and its potential to inspire future generations of players.

The much-anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) is set to make a grand return after a seven-year hiatus, with both men's and women's teams participating in the event from December 28. The men's competition will feature eight teams, while six sides will compete in the women's event, which is being held for the first time. The league will be played in two venues — Rourkela for men and Ranchi for women — from December 28 to February 1.The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has granted a 10-year sanction for the HIL. The player auction for the league will be held from October 13 to 15. A total of 10 franchise owners have come on board, and players will be auctioned in three categories: Rs 2 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.The return of the HIL is not only a significant moment in the history of the sport but also a major step forward in promoting women's hockey. The introduction of an exclusive women's league within the HIL framework is seen as providing a platform for female athletes to showcase their prowess, paving the way for a more inclusive and competitive future for Indian hockey.The franchise owners of the men's event are:* Chennai – Charles Group* Lucknow – Yadu Sports* Punjab – JSW Sports* West Bengal – Shrachi Sports* Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment, owned by tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi* Odisha – Vedanta Limited* Hyderabad – Resolute Sports* Ranchi – Navoyam Sports Ventures Private LimitedThe women team owners are:* Haryana – JSW Sports* West Bengal – Shrachi Sports* Delhi – SG Sports and Entertainment* Odisha - Navoyam Sports Ventures Private LimitedThe remaining two franchise owners of the women's league will be announced later. Each franchise will have a 24-player squad, consisting of at least 16 Indian players (with a mandatory inclusion of four junior players) and eight international stars.The final of the women's league is scheduled for January 26 next year in Ranchi, while the men's summit clash will be held on February 1 in Rourkela. Hockey India president and chairman of HIL, Dilip Tirkey, expressed his delight at the revival of the league, saying it was his dream since taking over the charge of the federation."Premier Hockey League started the culture of league in the world. Since the day we were elected it was our dream to revive the league and today the dream has been fulfilled," Tirkey said during the launch of the event in New Delhi on Friday (October 4, 2024)."HIL has been and will be a supply chain for the national teams. HIL is going to create a history for the sport. HIL is very important for world hockey. We are thankful to International Hockey Federation (FIH) for giving us 35 days window," he said.HI secretary general Bhola Nath Singh agreed with Tirkey, saying starting the HIL was their aim from day one after taking charge of the federation."The first day we joined our first though was to restart HIL. It was long time waiting. Hockey is not just a sport in India, it is in our hearts," Singh said.He also announced that the Odisha government has extended its sponsorship deal with Indian hockey till 2036.

Indian Women's Hockey Team Celebrates Men's Bronze, Reflects on Missed Olympic OpportunityAs the Indian men's hockey team celebrated their historic bronze medal victory in Tokyo, a bittersweet feeling washed over the women's team at the SAI Bengaluru hostel. While they rejoiced in their countrymen's triumph, they couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for their own missed opportunity.The women's team had come agonizingly close to qualifying for the Paris Olympics, but their hopes were dashed by a 0-1 loss to Japan in the third-place playoff of the FIH Olympic qualifiers. The disappointment was palpable, as they had spent countless hours training and sacrificing to achieve their Olympic dream."We were overjoyed for the men's team," said Salima Tete, captain of the national women's hockey team. "But we also wished we could have been there with them."The team has since undergone a coaching change, with Harendra Singh replacing Janneke Schopman. They are now focused on preparing for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games."We came very close but didn't qualify," said Tete. "It hurts a lot. We spend months together in camp, away from family, working hard, so it's tough to come to terms with missing out on an Olympics."For Savita Punia, the 34-year-old goalkeeper, the World Cup and Asian Games are her immediate priorities. She is determined to make the most of her remaining time in the sport."For women, once we get married, family becomes a priority," said Punia. "I'm happy my husband and in-laws encourage me to pursue my career. But I don't want to think too far ahead. I just want us to win the Asian Games."Despite their disappointment, the women's team has been inspired by the men's team's success. They believe that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their own Olympic dream in 2028.

In a time when women's hockey tournaments in Tamil Nadu, organized by private clubs, are scarce, a group of 15 dedicated women have been successfully organizing a tournament for the past three years in Chennai. The 'We are for Hockey' Trophy, held at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, has attracted 16 teams from various parts of the state in its recently concluded fourth edition (July 25 to 27).The tournament has received an overwhelming response, with teams from Erode, Tirunelveli, Vellore, and Kovilpatti participating. Former Tamil Nadu players, J. Rekha and Lakshmi Vaikunth, president and secretary of 'We are for Hockey' Club, are the driving force behind this initiative. They have been tirelessly handling all aspects of the tournament with enthusiasm and dedication.Lakshmi Vaikunth, the secretary of the club, has faced challenges in securing sponsorship for the tournament. "It has been quite hectic for the last few weeks, running for sponsors and other things," she said. Despite the difficulties, the group has managed to raise funds to offer cash prizes to the winners: Rs. 30,000 for first place, 20,000 for second, and Rs. 10,000 for third.The 'We are for Hockey' Club is committed to promoting women's hockey and showcasing the talent of young girls. "Through our tournament, we want a Tamil Nadu player to represent India at the Olympics," said Lakshmi. The club also aims to make the event an All-India one, similar to the MCC-Murugappa tournament.The Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Chennai Hockey Association (CHA) have extended their support to the tournament. However, Rekha suggests that CHA could further contribute by conducting a women's league, as it did in 2018-19.The 'We are for Hockey' Club is an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of sports to empower women. Their dedication and hard work have created a platform for young hockey players to showcase their skills and aspire for greater heights.

Sharmila Devi, a promising young forward, has made a remarkable comeback to the Indian women's hockey team. Her unwavering determination to improve and her relentless work ethic have been instrumental in her return to the national side.After a nine-month absence, Sharmila returned to the Indian team in February 2024 during the FIH Hockey Pro League game against China. The 22-year-old from Haryana faced challenges during her time away from the national team, missing out on the Asian Games and Olympic Qualifiers.However, Sharmila remained mentally strong and focused on her training. She dedicated herself to improving her game, working on both her offensive and defensive skills. Her hard work paid off when she finally got her chance to take the field against China."I was more than excited to be wearing the Indian jersey once again," Sharmila said. "It felt very rewarding for all the work that was put in."Despite India's loss in that game, Sharmila vowed to continue giving her best. She believes in the importance of consistency and is committed to helping the national team achieve success."Every time we step onto the field, we give our hundred percent," Sharmila said. "I will work hard to consistently do well for the national team and help us win more and more games as time goes by."Sharmila's journey serves as an inspiration to young athletes. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering belief in herself have paved the way for her comeback. She is a testament to the power of hard work and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams.

Harendra Singh, a seasoned coach with a proven track record in Indian hockey, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Janneke Schopman as the head coach of the Indian women's hockey team. Singh recently appeared for an interview with Hockey India, the national governing body, which has indicated that he is the preferred candidate to lead the team after its disappointing failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics.Singh previously served as the head coach of the Indian women's team from 2017 to 2018, guiding them to a gold medal at the 2017 Asia Cup. He also coached the Indian junior men's team to victory at the 2016 Junior World Cup.Sources within Hockey India have expressed confidence in Singh's ability to revive the women's team. "Harendra is the best person to take the women's side to where it belongs," said a source. "He knows the structure of Indian hockey and has a proven track record of success."However, negotiations over Singh's salary could pose a challenge. As the current coach of the United States men's team, Singh is reportedly earning a substantial salary. Hockey India's salary cap for Indian coaches is Rs 3 lakh per month, but Singh may demand a higher amount.Hockey India secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh confirmed that Harendra appeared for the interview but emphasized that no decision has been made yet. "There are 11-12 candidates, and we will decide taking into account every aspect," he said.If appointed, Singh will replace Schopman, who resigned last month citing a difficult work environment for foreign coaches in India. Schopman's departure came after the women's team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, a major setback for Indian hockey.Singh's appointment would mark a return to the helm of the Indian women's team for the experienced coach. His previous stint with the team was cut short in 2018 when he was replaced by Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne.

The Indian women's hockey team's failure to qualify for the Paris Olympics has sparked a call for a major overhaul. With 16 fewer athletes set to travel to the Games, experts believe it's time to rebuild the team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Former coach Neil Hawgood emphasizes the need to identify players who will be available in 2028 and start a new project involving junior team players. He suggests using the Pro League as a platform for their growth. Sjoerd Marijne, the team's coach for the Tokyo Olympics, agrees, stressing the importance of choosing players who will play for India for a long time.India's next major tournaments will be in 2026, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Cup. The Asian Games hold particular significance as a gold medal would secure a direct qualification for the LA Olympics. Hawgood believes India should use the Pro League as an exposure and experimental tournament to inject young blood and build a solid bench strength.Former captain Pritam Rani Siwach echoes this sentiment, calling for a mix of juniors and seniors to create a core group that can play until LA. She also advocates for a development camp to identify and promote talented players.One crucial area that needs improvement is penalty corner conversion. Marijne emphasizes the need to work on converting chances into goals. Another key aspect is the exposure given to the second goalkeeper. The reliance on Savita Punia has been overwhelming, and the team could face problems when she retires.Finally, the search for a new coach is underway. Hawgood believes it's time for a local coach with a foreign advisor to develop a solid link between senior and junior teams.