Try GOLD - Free
Focus on Pro League with eye on future
The New Indian Express Chennai
|February 15, 2025
Women's hockey team will be seeking improved show while youngsters from men's side will be looking to step up
ODISHA may have signed off on a fairly successful revamped Hockey India League but the season is just beginning for both senior national teams.
The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, no stranger to the sport, will host a round of Pro league games starting on Saturday, with both sides in action (the women's side will kick-start proceedings with a match vs England with the men facing Spain later in the evening).
Even if there are no global hockey events this year, it starts a fairly important season for both sides leading into next year's World Cup as well as the Asian Games.
With the Pro League itself doubling up as a qualifier for the quadrennial bash in 2026, both sides have made it their stated aim to rubber-stamp their place there (Netherlands and Belgium are co-hosting the event) at the first time of asking.
Actually doing it is the hard bit, especially the women's side, whose opponents - the likes of Germany, Netherlands, Spain among others - are a cut above.
This story is from the February 15, 2025 edition of The New Indian Express Chennai.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express Chennai
The New Indian Express
THIRD CHAPTER UNFOLDS
Carnatic progressive rock pioneers Agam drop their third album, Arrival of the Ethereal, a magnum opus that unites 300 musicians worldwide
6 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
India pares Russian crude imports, but Moscow remains top supplier
Oil shipments from Russia drop marginally from 2 mbd in August to 1.6 mbd in September
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
Probe on TN pharma firm as 8 kids die in MP and Raj
Drug administration stops sale of Coldrif, freezes stock at plant
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
India warns Pak over any buildup in Sir Creek area
Rajnath Singh says any misadventure will invite decisive response
1 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
A rare start for Kuldeep ahead of bigger tests
WASHINGTON Sundar has big shoes to fill in this Indian side, especially in home Tests. He will be tasked with filling the hole left behind by R Ashwin's retirement post the last home season.
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
Senthil Balaji blames Vijay's late arrival, poor planning and lack of amenities for stampede
RESPONDING to TVK president Vijay's video message, former minister and Karur MLA V Senthil Balaji said the stampede could have been avoided had the actor-politician complied with the conditions laid down by police and arrived at the venue on time.
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
TN to commence RTE admissions as centre releases its share of ₹538 cr
Govt announces 10-day window to regularise kids enrolled under RTE in unaided, non-minority schools
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express
Ladakh administration orders magisterial probe into 4 deaths
Wangchuk’s supporter dies by suicide, bros say he was depressed after Sept 24 incident
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Chennai
MOON-KISSED MAGIC
The Autum Moon Festival takes you on a culinary journey through China's harvest season
2 mins
October 03, 2025
The New Indian Express Chennai
5+ years on, China air link from Oct 26
INDIA and China have agreed to resume direct commercial flights by this month-end, marking yet another notable step toward normalising bilateral ties that have remained strained since the 2020 border standoff.
1 min
October 03, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size