After a six-week break in August, Savita Punia, vice-captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, noted that the squad returned to the SAI facility with the mindset and preparation needed for a long-term camp.
Savita Punia, vice-captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, has stated they had come prepared for a long camp when they returned to the Sports Authority of India facility following a six-week break in August.
Savita explained that returning to the SAI center in Bengaluru for an extended period was a strategic move. She believes this continuity is key to helping the players smoothly rebuild their physical condition and get back into game shape.
The national team's vice-captain expressed her gratitude to SAI and Hockey India for making sure the pandemic didn't derail their road to the Olympics. She highlighted that the team is following all official SOPs and health guidelines during practice, while also focusing heavily on recovery to keep the squad injury-free.
India will begin their journey at the Tokyo Olympics with a high-stakes opening match against the world-leading Netherlands team, a challenge they feel mentally prepared for.
Regarding the Dutch side, Savita admitted that while India hasn't faced them recently, they have been studying their game intently. The team has also been consulting with their coaches, Sjoerd and Janneke, to break down the strengths and tactics of the Netherlands.
She pointed out that having two Dutch coaches on the Indian staff provides a unique advantage, giving them insider knowledge of the opponent's style. Savita described the Netherlands as a tactically superior and aggressive team, making their first Olympic match a daunting task.
The Netherlands is scheduled to play against Great Britain in Amsterdam on October 27 and 29 as part of the FIH Hockey Pro League.
Savita mentioned that a matchup between two powerhouses like the Netherlands and Great Britain will be thrilling to watch, especially after the long drought of competitive sports caused by Covid-19. She noted that analyzing these Pro League games will provide valuable intel for India's own preparation.