Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 23: The Indian women’s hockey team is deep into preparations at its national training camp in Bengaluru, with emphasis on refining technical skills and strengthening tactical structure ahead of key international assignments.
Under the guidance of chief coach Sjoerd Marijne and scientific advisor Wayne Lombard, 18-year-old midfielder Sakshi Rana is making the most of the high-performance environment to elevate her game.
Sakshi, who marked her senior debut with a goal against Spain last year, described the camp as a space for constant improvement. She credited the support staff for identifying individual shortcomings and addressing them through focused daily sessions. Strength, conditioning, and recovery protocols have been central to the training schedule, helping players meet the demands of top-level competition.
Having begun her journey at the Pritam Siwach Hockey Academy under coach Kuldeep, Sakshi built a reputation for her pace and attacking instinct in midfield. In the senior setup, however, she is now working on complementing that natural flair with better positional awareness and communication.
She revealed that one-on-one discussions with the coaching staff have highlighted the need for improved pre-scanning and sharper on-field coordination, particularly given her central role. Team meetings, she added, are heavily focused on maintaining structure, quick decision-making, and knowing when to release the ball under intense international pressure.
Her recent exposure in the Hockey India League (HIL) further boosted her confidence. Competing alongside elite international players enhanced her communication skills and match temperament. Observing players such as Yibbi Jansen offered valuable lessons in controlling the midfield and managing high-stakes situations.
The camp’s preparations are aligned with the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad, Telangana, scheduled from March 8 to 14. India will open their campaign against Uruguay on March 8, followed by Scotland on March 9, and conclude the group stage against Wales on March 11.
Drawing inspiration from senior teammate Neha Goyal, Sakshi remains focused on consistent hard work and readiness.
“Every day is about giving my best and executing the coach’s plan,” she said. “If I get the opportunity in the qualifiers, the aim is simple — to come back with a win.”
With youth blending seamlessly with experience, the Indian side is steadily building momentum as it targets qualification for the 2026 World Cup.