Hockey India has released the final list of players who have been chosen to represent the Indian Women's Hockey Team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Railways, took to his official Twitter account to congratulate the players on their selection to India's Olympic hockey team. He also stated that 13 of the chosen players are from the Indian Railways.
While congratulating the women hockey team, Piyush Goyal shared the picture of the selected team. He said that the team has a "good mix of experience and youth". He added that 13 players from Indian Railways selected for representing India at the Tokyo Olympics are "making Railway family proud".
On June 17, Hockey India announced the squad that would represent India at the Tokyo games. The 16-member squad includes eight experienced players and eight new players who will make their Olympic debut for Team India. Hockey India stated in a press release.
The eight Olympic debutants include drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur, Salima Tete, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, the first player hailing from Mizoram in the team.
Piyush Goyal tweeted;
"Congratulations to the Indian Women’s Hockey Team selected for participation in #Tokyo2020 Olympics.
The contingent has a good mix of experience & youth.
13 of the 16 selected players are from Indian Railways, making our Railway family proud. Chak De!"
Captain Rani, goalkeeper Savita, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Navjot Kaur, and Vandana Katariya are among the eight experienced players who competed in the last Olympics. In terms of team selection, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne stated that the team has worked extremely hard over the last few years.
The team has a good mix of experienced players and new talent, which Hockey India described as "excellent." He went on to say that they are excited to compete against the best in the world in Tokyo. Gyanendro Ningombam, president of Hockey India, wished the selected players luck and hoped for a successful performance in Tokyo.
