Is Selvam Karthi Ready to Make an Impact in National Hockey?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Selvam Karthi returns to the national camp after a significant gap.
- The Indian team prepares for formidable opponents in the FIH Hockey Pro League.
- Karthi aims to enhance his fitness and finishing skills.
- Training includes extra sessions to ensure optimal performance.
- The team is confident in countering tough opponents with their strengths.
New Delhi, 15 May (NationPress) The Indian men's hockey team is gearing up for their European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25, where they will compete against strong teams such as the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, and Belgium. Returning to the national camp is forward Selvam Karthi.
Reflecting on his return to the national team setup after the Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, Karthi expressed, "I’m thrilled to be back in the national camp. There’s a lot to accomplish, and my goal is to secure a spot in the final squad for the FIH Hockey Pro League. I have been training diligently on my own, and my focus is now entirely on ensuring I am part of the Indian team in the major upcoming tournaments."
The team faces significant challenges in June during the FIH Hockey Pro League, and the 23-year-old forward aims to leave a positive impression. Reflecting on his aspirations for the upcoming month, Karthi, who has previously toured with the national team in Europe, stated, "Having played in Europe before, it won't be unfamiliar terrain for me, but my objective is to perform excellently for the team, score vital goals, and create an impact."
He added, "My initial goal was to make a comeback to the national team, and now that I’m in the camp, I aim to excel so that I can be part of the Indian team that travels to Europe. There, I hope to deliver my best and contribute to the team's progress."
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Karthi shared insights about his discussions with the leadership of the Indian men's team. He mentioned, "The coaches have been incredibly supportive, urging me to focus on fitness and improve my finishing skills. These are key areas I’m diligently working on."
As he looks forward to the tough competition ahead in the FIH Hockey Pro League, Karthi noted that no game will be straightforward.
"The Netherlands are the reigning Olympic champions, which makes them a formidable opponent, but we believe in our strengths to counter them. Teams like Belgium, Australia, and Argentina also play a fast-paced style of hockey, similar to ours. Therefore, we must read game situations effectively and adapt our play to achieve favorable results," he stated.
"Currently, we’re putting in hard work during training, including extra sessions, as we prepare for the upcoming matches. I’ve been collaborating with the team as well as working on my individual game improvement in camp," Karthi concluded.