Indian Women's Hockey Team Leaves for Argentina Tour, Will Play Two Matches

New Delhi, January 3: The Indian Women's Hockey Team has left from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday for Argentina. This tour will be the national side's first one after almost a year.

Hockey India also named the 25-member Indian Women's Hockey squad for the tour. The Indian team is scheduled to play two matches against Argentina (Junior Women) on January 17 and 19, two matches against Argentina B on January 22 and 24 and four matches against Argentina on January 26, 28, 30, and 31.

Hockey India and the host National Association have created a bio bubble in Argentina for both the Argentine Women's Team and the Indian Women's Team. The Indian Women's Team will be staying in a hotel where a provision to have separate rooms/halls for the team for all the meals, team meetings, sessions etc have been made.

"It feels amazing to be touring again. We have worked very hard on our game in the last few months and the time has come for us to execute our skills in an international match. Playing in international matches is going to be a bit different this time, since we will be in a bio bubble, however, the team is excited to be back on the field in the best possible manner at the moment," Indian Women's Hockey team captain Rani said in a statement.

The entire Indian contingent underwent a Covid-19 RT-PCR Test 72 hours prior to their departure from New Delhi. Though there is no requirement of quarantine upon arrival in Argentina, the team will still be following all safety and health measures as advised by the respective governments of India and Argentina, Hockey India said in an official release.

The Indian Women's Hockey Team Vice Captain and Goalkeeper Savita thanked Hockey India and SAI for arranging the tour of Argentina.

"We desperately needed to get back into the competitive mode as there's not much time left to go for the Olympics. We have been doing well in practice sessions, but an international match is always the real test for any sportsperson. Therefore, we would like to thank Hockey India and SAI for the efforts they have put in to arrange a tour for us. We are really looking forward to a great tour and hopefully, we start playing to our full potential right from the first match," said Savita.

The 25-member Indian Women's Hockey squad: Rani (Captain), Savita (Vice-Captain), Rajani Etimarpu, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Gurjit Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Rashmita Minz, Manpreet Kaur, Reena Khokhar, Salima Tete, Nisha, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lilima Minz, Neha Goyal, Namita Toppo, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Vandana Katariya, Navneet Kaur, Navjot Kaur, Jyoti, Udita, Rajwinder Kaur, Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi.

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