Hawke’s Bay Cup: India look for positive start in New Zealand

“Fitness” and “converting short corners” are key areas that coach Neil Hawgood has marked for the women’s hockey team as they begin their preparations for the Rio Olympics.

India will compete in the Hawke’s Bay Cup in Hastings, New Zealand, on April 2 and will look to a positive start to the event.

India, ranked 13th in the world, will face the fourth-ranked New Zealand and China, a place behind. Even Ireland, who are ranked below India, are capable of springing a surprise.

“In the past we have lost some crucial matches due to fitness and not being able to convert penalty corners. In this camp we have been paying extra attention to these two critical aspects. In fact, you can say that our chief coach Neil Hawgood is obsessive about improving the fitness levels,” said Deepika, who will lead the team in the absence of regular skipper Ritu Rani, who has been rested.

“In modern hockey, converting penalty corners makes a huge difference between winning and losing. We have to learn from the mistakes of the past and ensure they are not repeated.”

Deepika received the player of the year award for women in the 2nd Hockey India annual awards in Bengaluru on March 26.

“To get this recognition by Hockey India right before the Hawke’s Bay Cup is undoubtedly a big boost.

“I am overjoyed to be selected for the most coveted Hockey India awards in recognition of my efforts,” said Deepika.

The New Zealand outing will also give the chief coach and selectors a chance to see how some of the junior players who have been drafted in the camp fare at the senior level ahead of the 2016 Rio Games.

“The Olympic squad has not been announced yet. Currently, the entire core group is training. So, everyone is keen to perform in the Hawke’s Bay Cup to brighten their chances for making the cut for the Olympics. This is good in long-term because we would have more options when selecting the side for Rio,” said the skipper.

The prospect of taking on higher-ranked teams in the Hawke’s Bay Cup is not weighing down the 18-member Indian team.

“It’s good that we are playing these teams in the tournament. It will not only give us, and especially the youngsters, critical exposure of playing against good sides, but will also prepare us mentally to take on even better sides in the Olympics. Also, the improved fitness levels of our players give us the confidence of playing against higher ranked sides,”Deepika said.

Though doing well in the Hawke’s Bay Cup is the immediate target of the team, the girls are well aware that history beckons them at the Rio Olympics for which they have qualified after a long wait of 36 years.

“There is a huge amount of excitement among us regarding the Olympics. For women’s hockey, it’s a dream come true moment. People think it’s still some months away, but if you ask me, we believe that there is very little time left. Since, we have made it to the Olympics after such a long time, we want people to take note of women’s hockey. It’s a huge opportunity,” Deepika said.