Hockey India Reveals Core Probable Squad for Senior Men's National Camp

New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) Hockey India has revealed a core probable group of 54 players for the upcoming senior men’s national coaching camp, set to commence on April 25, 2025, at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru.

This selection follows the players' performances at the 15th Senior Men National Championship 2025, which took place in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Based on their showings, Hockey India has formed a core group of 54 athletes for the national camp.

The camp is scheduled from April 25 to 30, during which players will be evaluated and subsequently narrowed down to 40 participants. These 40 will continue their training in the next phase of the camp, planned from May 1 to 25.

Among the 54 players, 38 have been retained from the existing core group. The remaining players have been added due to their remarkable performances in the recent nationals, with representatives from Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Maharashtra, Hockey Punjab, UP Hockey, Hockey Bengal, and Manipur Hockey.

The retained players from the existing core group include Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Pawan, Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar, Amit Rohidas, Varun Kumar, Jugraj Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amandeep Lakra, Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Yashdeep Siwach, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Hardik Singh, Sumit, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Poovanna Chandura Boby, Rajinder Singh, Vishnu Kant Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Shamsher Singh, Gurjant Singh, Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Boby Singh Dhami, Selvam Karthi, Sunil Jojo, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Sudeep Chirmako, and Angad Bir Singh.

Among the newcomers invited to the camp are Sanjay B, Ankit Malik, Pratap Lakra, Parmod, Dhanavade Mayur, Ali Ahmad, Aakib Rahim, Arjun Sharma, Yousuf Affan, Laishram Dipu Singh, Venkatesh Kenche, Gursahibjit Singh, Pardeep Singh, Ravi, Uttam Singh, and Maninder Singh.

Discussing the objectives of the upcoming camp, Indian Men’s Hockey Team Head Coach Craig Fulton stated, “The primary goal of this camp is to get everyone back on the field, back in the gym, and moving again. We’ve had a short break since the nationals, so it’s about returning to the basics. We have a mix of experienced players, reserves, and some exciting new talent. This camp is an opportunity to evaluate the new players while also assessing our senior and reserve players. We’ll gradually progress to internal matches in a few days.”

“Fitness will be crucial, especially with the final segment of the Pro League approaching in June. This camp will be rigorous—not just physically but in all aspects of the game. We’re focusing on fitness, gameplay, and enhancing overall readiness,” he added.

On the role of junior and new players in this camp, Fulton mentioned, “There’s a distinct emphasis on identifying and nurturing younger talent. This camp provides us with a closer examination of some promising junior and new players. Simultaneously, we’re aiming to strengthen structure and consistency within our senior group. It’s about fusing experience with potential and preparing everyone for the future.”

The Indian team will also engage in friendly matches in Ireland before the Pro League. “We won’t be participating in any official tournaments prior to the Pro League, but we are planning a training camp in Ireland. The team will play three friendly matches there. This will be a vital build-up and a great opportunity to prepare in a competitive environment,” Fulton said.