Youngsters' FIH Pro League experience could be handy in Junior World Cup: Salima Tete

Salima Tete feels several youngsters making their senior debuts at the FIH Pro League 2022 will benefit the team when it competes in the upcoming Junior Women's World Cup. Youngsters including Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Deepika, Sangita Kumari and Bichu Devi Kharibam made their senior team debuts at the FIH Hockey Pro League. Salima explained how this experience has helped the team ahead of the marquee age-group tournament.

"We had a practice match with the senior team, which really helped us a lot. A lot of players in our squad also received opportunities to make their debuts at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22. "We have taken full advantage of these opportunities to motivate ourselves and be ready for the tournament.

We have also had some very good training sessions and everyone has been really helpful in grooming this team," Salima said. The 20-member Indian team has been preparing for the tournament, which was postponed to this year due to the omicron threat in South Africa. The event is scheduled to begin on April 1 in Potchefstroom, South Africa, with India facing Wales in their first game of the season on April 2.

Speaking at a virtual press conference, Salima opened up on her role as the captain and how the team has been preparing for the tournament. "As a captain, I will look to help my teammates at any point they need me to step in. I will also look to make good combinations with the players," Salima said.

"We have a few experienced players in our team including Lalremsiami, Sharmila, and Ishika Chaudhary. We will all discuss together how we can take the team forward and improve our gameplay together. My role will be to take the team together alongside me," she added.