New Delhi: The National Championship 2024 is set to be held in New Delhi from March 14.
The tournament will bring together the country’s top hockey players and budding stars to compete in the national coaching camp. The selection process for the upcoming national coaching camp will be based on the performances of the players in the forthcoming national championship.
Dilip Tirkey, the President of Hockey India, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI that the National Championship is a crucial domestic tournament, in which new talent will emerge from different states and Union Territories. He added that this year’s competition will feature participants from 28 states and UTs, with each player representing their respective state.
Hockey India selectors will closely watch the performances of all the players and based on their recommendation, a new core group will be selected, he added.
Tirkey emphasized that even the current Indian team players must maintain their place in the core group in order to retain their spot. He added that everyone will need to perform to their best potential to make the cut.
He also stressed the importance of focusing on making the qualification for the FIH Women’s World Cup in 2026 and building towards the LA Olympics with optimism. He further stated that there is plenty of talent in India and that the National Championships is an important platform to identify new talent.