Prabodh Tirkey to lead India in Azlan Shah hockey

Chennai, Apr 21 (UNI) In the absence of Dilip Tirkey, forward Prabodh Tirkey will lead an 18-member Indian hockey squad in the Azlan Shah Hockey tournament to be held at Ipoh in Malaysia from May 5 to 15.

Indian Hockey Federation(IHF) Secretary K Jyothikumaran released the team which was selected in Bangalore at the end of a preparatory camp at SAI centre there by the selection committe comprising Gurbax Sigh, Harmik Singh, B P Govinda and Government nominee Ajitpal Singh.

Chief coach Joaquim Carvalho and Technical Director M M Somayya were also present at the selection meeting.

Mr Jyothikumaran told UNI from Bangalore that the team would be focussing on qualifying for the Beijing Olympics and winning the Champions League Cup in Belgium to be held by the end of June.

''Winning the Azlan Shah tournament would mark the beginning of the team's preparations to achieve these twin objectives,'' he said.

He said former captains Gagan Ajit Singh and Dilip Tirkey could not be picked as they were busy with prior commitments in the professional league in Holland.

''They would be considered for future engagements,'' he said, and added that forward Bruno Logun could not be picked for the final squad as he sustained a hamstring injury.

Bruno has been named as standby along with Sreejesh (goalkeeper) and Suni Yadav (defender).

Moreover, Vikramkanth has been named as substitute in case Ignace Tirkey is found wanting on his fitness.

The squad will leave for Kuala Lumpur on April 30 and play two practice matches against the Malaysian team at Ipoh.

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