India names 54 for men’s hockey training camp

New Delhi

Hockey India has named a 54-member core probable group for the senior men’s national camp starting today (April 25) at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru. This group was picked following performances at the 15th Senior Men National Championship held in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.

The initial camp, running until April 30, will trim the squad to 40 players. These selected athletes will continue training through May 25. Among the 54, 38 are from the current core group, including senior players like Harmanpreet Singh, Krishan Pathak, Manpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh.

New call-ups include standout players from state teams such as Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Manipur. Promising youngsters like Sanjay B, Ankit Malik, and Yousuf Affan have earned a chance based on their national performance.

Head Coach Craig Fulton emphasized that the camp will focus on fitness, gameplay, and team structure. “We’re blending experienced players with fresh talent,” Fulton said, highlighting the importance of internal match-ups and rigorous training ahead of the Pro League final leg in June.

In preparation, the team will travel to Ireland for a training camp and three friendly matches. While no official tournament is scheduled before the Pro League, these friendlies will help assess match-readiness and fine-tune strategies.

The camp serves as a key step in strengthening India's hockey foundation by developing young talent while reinforcing senior player roles, aiming for consistent global competitiveness.