New Delhi, 21 July (Hindustan Times). After the FIH Pro League Season 5 calendar for 2023-24 was announced by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Thursday, the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams have expressed their excitement, believing they will get exposure during this outing. And will help the team’s preparations for Paris 2024.
Both the teams will start their campaign with home matches at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela. The Indian women’s hockey team, who have been promoted to this edition of the FIH Pro League after being crowned champions of the FIH Nations League, will first take on China on 6 February 2024 at the Kalinga Stadium.
This will be followed by matches against Netherlands, Australia and USA before traveling to Rourkela where they will again take on China, Netherlands, Australia and USA. After the home matches, Indian women will play away matches in Antwerp, Belgium and Lea Valley, Great Britain where they will face Argentina, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain respectively.
Excited to have qualified for the upcoming season, Indian women’s hockey team captain Savita said, “We have competed against some great teams at the FIH Nations Cup 2022 and made it to the FIH Pro League. The team is looking forward to the challenge of playing against the top ranked teams in the world and testing their mettle against them. These matches are to see where we stand, and we want to use this opportunity to raise the standard of our game, especially ahead of Paris 2024.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey team will take on Spain in their first match of the FIH Pro League 2023/2024 on 10 February 2024 at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. In the previous season of FIH Pro League 2022-23, India finished fourth overall and will be competing to finish on the podium in the upcoming season.
In the upcoming season, India will take on Spain, Netherlands, Australia and Ireland in home games at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, Rourkela and against Argentina and Belgium in Antwerp, Belgium and Germany and Great Britain.
Expressing hope for the FIH Pro League Season 5 matches, Harmanpreet Singh said, “The team is looking forward to playing against strong teams like Spain, Netherlands, Australia and Ireland at home in the initial stages of the league. We did well in the last edition of FIH Pro League but we want to do better this season. We have an undefeated run at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela and we will give our all to ensure that it remains that way.
Harmanpreet said, “We believe that the Pro League match will be an ideal platform for us to see where we stand ahead of Paris 2024. We are excited to launch the campaign at home in Odisha.
