Indian hockey teams leave for Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers

The junior Indian men and women's hockey teams have left for the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers, which is to begin in Bangkok, Thailand on April 25.

The five-day tournament is a qualifying event for Youth Olympic Games 2018 to be held at Buenos Aires, Argentina which will follow the futuristic Hockey 5's format.

The nine-member junior Indian men's team led by Vivek Sagar Prasad, who was part of the Indian men's team at the Gold Coast XXI Commonwealth Games, with vice-captain Rabichandra Singh Moirang them is upbeat and ready for the challenge. They are grouped with Korea, Japan, Hong Kong China, and Thailand in Pool A and begin their campaign against Thailand on April 25.

"We have had good preparations in Agra where the team has worked really hard over the past month and a half. It is a fast-paced format, hence there was a lot of emphasis on improving reaction time of players. With solid ground work, I am hopeful of good results," Jude Felix, coach of the junior men's team said.

Meanwhile, thejunior Indian women's team with the experience of skipper Salima Tete and Vice Skipper Lalremsiami, who was part of the Indian women's team that made the semi-final of XXI Commonwealth Games, are eager for a good show at the event.

Their coach, Baljeet Singh Saini said, "It's good to have players who have gained international exposure with the senior team. This team has undergone good preparations and are confident of a good show."

The junior Indian women are grouped with Korea, Thailand and Singapore and kick off their campaign against Singapore on April 25.