IHF announces only 21 names for camp

LUCKNOW: In the wake of star player Jugraj Singh’s accident, the Indian Hockey Federation has finalised only 21 players for the camp for the Asia Cup. The camp is scheduled in New Delhi from September 8 while the Asia Cup is to be staged in Kuala Lumpur on September 21 to 28.
IHF president KPS Gill talked to hockey player Ramandeep Singh, who was in the Dayanand Medical College in Ludhiana with Jugraj, when he called up to wish Jugraj speedy recovery.
The doctors at the DMC fear that Jugraj would take no less three months before recovering.
This means he will also miss the Afro-Asian Games, to be held in Hyderabad later this year.
Len Aiyappa or Sandeep Kumar may replace Jugraj. Recently Sandeep, also a penalty corner specialist, had powered the junior India team to the title in a six-nation contest in Ganiezno, Poland last month. He had scored a dozen goals out of 15 penalty corners that India forced against the rivals.
Making his return among the probables is Sandeep Michael. He had missed the Champions Trophy
camp in Lucknow due to jaundice. As many as 17 out 18 that were on the Champions Trophy team have been retained, indicated IHF secretary Jothikumaran.
He also added if any other players has to be included, it would be done after consulatation
with IHF president Gill, chief coach Rajinder Singh and assistant coach Baldev Singh.
Asian Games silver medallists India are grouped in pool B with Pakistan, Bangladesh and China. The pool A has Asian Games champions South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong. India’s first match is against China on the opening day. They play next Bangladesh on September 22 before taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in the last league match on September 24.
The cup champions will qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
The players for the camp are: Devesh Chauhan, Kamaldeep Singh, Dilip Tirkey, Kanwalpreet Singh, Baljit Singh Saini, Ignace Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, Vikram Pillay, Viren Rasquinha, VS Vinay, Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Prabhjot Singh, Deepak Thakur, Gagan Ajit Singh, Didar Singh, Tejbir Singh, Prabodh Tirkey, Tushar Khandekar, Sandeep Michael and Harpal Singh.