Hockey India announces Sweety Kujur-led women's squad for U18 Asia Cup
New Delhi, May 22
Hockey India on Friday announced the 18-member women's squad that will represent the country at the upcoming U18 Asia Cup. The prestigious continental tournament will take place from May 29 to June 6 in Kakamigahara, Japan.
The Indian side heads into the tournament after several weeks of preparation at the national camp in Bhopal, where the coaching staff led by Rani Rampal focused on building combinations, improving match fitness and sharpening tactical execution.
The tournament will serve as an opportunity for the young Indian squad, captained by Sweety Kujur, to test themselves against some of Asia's strongest teams.
As part of the preparations, the Indian team played a four-match series against Australia in Bhopal, which the hosts ended with a confidence-boosting win.
Placed in Pool A, India will compete against Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. India will open their campaign against Malaysia on May 30, followed by the clash against Korea on May 31. The team will then conclude its pool-stage fixtures with the match against Singapore on June 2.
The top two teams from Pool A and B will progress to the semifinals scheduled on June 5, while the final will be played on June 6.
Commenting on the final squad for the tournament, coach Rani said, "This tournament is a fantastic platform for these young athletes to gain international exposure and understand the demands of high-pressure matches. We have focused heavily on fitness, tactical structure and team coordination over the past few weeks. The team is excited and motivated to represent the country, and our aim will be to play fearless hockey and challenge strongly for the title."
Indian Women's U-18 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mahak Parihar, Khili Kumari
Defenders: Sugan Sanga, Nilam Topno, Rubina Baxla, Kiran Ekka, Sulochani
Midfielders: Shruti Kumari, Diya, Sneha Davde, Rashmeen Kaur, Nammi Geetashree, Pushpa Manjhi
Forwards: Nousheen Naz, Sweety Kujur (captain), Priyanka Minz, Sandeepa Kumari, Nancy Saroha
— IANS
Reader Comments
Happy to see hockey getting this kind of attention and investment in grassroots levels. But I wish there was more coverage of women's hockey in Indian media, especially at the U18 level. The team deserves more visibility and support!
Really impressed by the planning and preparation. A four-match series against Australia at home, followed by a challenging pool with Korea and Malaysia - this is how you build a team. All the best, girls! 🏑
The squad looks well-balanced with good mix of defenders and forwards. Great to see names from different regions - Jharkhand, Odisha, Haryana - shows hockey is thriving beyond elite centers. Hope they bring home the trophy! 🏆
Smart to focus on fitness and tactical structure. That's where Indian teams have often lagged. Rani's experience will be invaluable. The pool stage looks manageable but Korea will be the real test. Excited to follow the tournament!
So proud of our young hockey players! The fact that they had a camp in Bhopal and played Australia shows serious planning by Hockey India. Hope the government continues supporting women's hockey at all levels. All the best, girls! 🙏
M Michael C Love We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.