Bengaluru
The Indian junior men’s hockey team departed from Bengaluru in the early hours of Wednesday for Kuala Lumpur, where they will participate in the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup 2023. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Johor, Malaysia, from October 27 to November 4. India enters the competition as the defending champions, having secured victory in the previous edition in 2022, where they triumphed over Australia in the final. In this year’s tournament, India is placed in Pool B, alongside Malaysia, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Pool A comprises Germany, Australia, South Africa, and Great Britain. The team, led by Captain Uttam Singh and Vice Captain Rajinder Singh, aims to secure a top-two finish in Pool B, guaranteeing their spot in the Semi-Finals. India’s campaign will commence with a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 27. They will face hosts Malaysia on October 28, followed by a match against New Zealand on October 30. Captain Uttam Singh expressed his pride in leading the team, saying, We are honored to represent India as the defending Champions in the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup. It’s a privilege to lead this talented group of players. Our focus is on maintaining the high standards we’ve set for ourselves and showing the world the spirit and skill of Indian hockey. We are well-prepared, and our goal is clear – to bring the trophy back home. The rivalry with Pakistan adds an extra layer of intensity to our campaign, and we’re looking forward to a strong start against them.
