Olympic Test Event | It’s an opportunity for youngsters to shine, says Harmanpreet Singh

The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will take part in the Olympic Test Event in Japan from August 17. Japan, New Zealand and Malaysia are the other three teams in the men’s competition while the women will take on Australia, China and Japan. According to the Indian captain for the tournament Harmanpreet Singh, the tournament is going to be a good platform for the young players. With few of the senior players rested, the Indian team is going into the event with two debutants Shamsher Singh and Ashis Topno.

“I believe this tournament is a good opportunity for youngsters to shine as we will all be watched closely ahead of the team selection for the Olympic Qualifiers,” Harmanpreet was quoted as saying by PTI.

“We are positively working towards making the Olympic Qualification. Playing at this venue will help us understand the playing conditions there and we are looking forward to a good tournament.”

The Indian women’s team will also take part in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers later this year and they have the task of doing well against a higher-ranked team like Australia. The Indian side under the captaincy of Rani Rampal had won the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima in June and travelled to Japan again for the Olympic Test Event.

“We have done well against Japan and China in the past one year but the one team we are looking forward to do well against is Australia. A win against them will make a big impact for our team’s preparations for the Olympic Qualifier,” Rani said ahead of the team’s departure.

The men’s team will take on Malaysia in the first game while the women will play against hosts Japan on August 17.