Renowned drag flicker, Rupinder Pal Singh, has assumed leadership of a five-day drag flicking camp for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team at SAI Bengaluru. The purpose of the camp is to prepare the team for the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024, which are scheduled to take place from 13th to 19th January. Rupinder Pal is imparting his expertise to assist the team’s drag flickers, including Deepika and Gurjit Kaur, in refining their skills for the crucial qualifiers.
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team finds themselves in Pool B alongside New Zealand, Italy, and the United States, while Pool A consists of Germany, Japan, Chile, and the Czech Republic. With high stakes at the tournament, the team is leaving no stone unturned in their preparations.
Gurjit Kaur, a seasoned player in the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, shared her thoughts on the session, acknowledging the significant value it has added to their training. She expressed, “The five-day drag flicking camp at SAI Bengaluru has proven to be a valuable experience for us. We are learning new things each day and looking to further improve our game by focusing on specific aspects that need refinement. Rupinder has been instrumental in guiding us, and the overall experience has been one of focused intensity. As we gear up for the upcoming tournaments, we are confident that the lessons learned here will contribute significantly to our performance on the field.”
Young forward, Deepika, echoed Gurjit’s sentiments, emphasizing the invaluable insights Rupinder has shared with the team. She explained, “He shared his insights on the first rushers in today’s game, how they have become fearless and close down on the ball faster than before. To counter this, he advised us to pick up the ball faster. This camp will help us strengthen our penalty corners and give us a better chance to score in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024.”
Rupinder Pal Singh, celebrated for his impressive 234 goals in 223 appearances for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team, brings a wealth of experience to the camp. Sharing his observations, he is confident in the team’s potential and their dedication to securing a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics through the upcoming qualifiers. The team’s commitment and hard work are evident as they gear up for the challenge in Ranchi.
In addition to their preparations for the qualifiers, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team has been on an upward trajectory throughout 2023. Despite missing out on direct qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the team rebounded to achieve a victory in the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023, while also improving their FIH World Rankings, a testament to their resilience and determination.
As the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Ranchi 2024 draw near, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team stands poised to make a strong impression under the astute guidance of Rupinder Pal Singh and their unwavering dedication to success.