India Resume FIH Pro League With Eye on World Cup Berth

Qualifying for 2026 World Cup without having to scramble for a spot is the priority for Harendra Singh-coached side

- Sandip Sikdar

NEW DELHI: The Indian women's hockey team's failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics was a big jolt. They had qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, a first after 36 years, and then found a high when they were in bronze medal contention at the 2021 Tokyo Games but lost the playoff.

Then came the transition period when chief coach Sjoerd Marijne quit, and his assistant and Dutch compatriot Janneke Schopman, who took over, could not guide the team to Paris, the team failing to qualify.

India are again in transition mode. Harendra Singh has taken over as coach and youngsters have taken the spots of the seniors. Salima Tete has taken over as captain from goalkeeper Savita Punia.