India set to defend their title in U-18 Asia Cup hockey

The Indian youth team is all set to defend their title at the second Under-18 Boys Asia Cup to be held in Yangon, Myanmar from 11th to 22nd November. They would be leaving for Myanmar on 8th November. India are the defending champions of the tournament which was last held eight years ago in 2001.

Thanks to Mr A.K Bansal (Chief Coach U-18 Hockey team) for sending the team picture to Sportskeeda

India U-18 Hockey team

Left to Right sitting on the ground

Arman Qureshi, Gunasekar, Manpreet Singh (captain),Barkat Singh,Pramod P.V., Talwinder Singh, Manmeet Raj Singh

Middle Row

Noushad Ahmad (trainer), Ripudaman Singh (coach), A.K.Bansal (Chief coach), Ravi Varma (coach), Nitin Kansal (Physio),

Standing

Upraj Singh,P.Naveen, Lovedeep singh, Sushil Xalxo, Naveen Sangwan, Amit Rohidas, Bachitar Singh, Sukhdev singh, Gurjant singh, Devender Walmiki, Chandan Singh

The team has set its training camp at Regional Centre of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Bhopal . They have been here right from late September when the selection procedure began with 55 kids.

The event is of great significance as the winner of this edition will qualify for the Youth Olympics to be held next year in Singapore.

The Indian boys have been placed in Group A along with arch rivals Pakistan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei. Malaysia has slammed this Under-18 Asia Cup draw as unfair. According to them it’s unfair to have the top three-rated teams India, Pakistan and Malaysia in the same group.

All the best to the U-18 team and the coach A.K Bansal from SportsKeeda. Mr Bansal do one Kabir Khan ! Chak de India