ACT Will Be Start Of Journey For Mission 2026 World Cup & 2028 Olympics: Chief Coach Harendra Singh

Indian women's hockey team has overcome recent setbacks and is set to start a new journey with World Cup and Olympics in mind, chief coach Harendra Singh asserted on Sunday, saying that performance in Asian Champions Trophy will serve as base for future.

Indian women's team has endured a very rough and long patch since its historic fourth-place finish at Tokyo Games. It could t qualify for Paris Olympics and lost 13 of 16 FIH Pro League matches.

Coach Harendra said his team has worked hard to shrug off lean run and is preparing for a good show at 2026 World Cup in Nerlands and 2028 Paris Olympics.

"This tournament is a base for our future planning. ACT as on our calendar, what we want to achieve in terms of results. It will be start of journey for mission 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics," Harendra said ahe of India's ACT tournament-opener against Malaysia on Monday.

"We have overcome all setbacks, worked on our mistakes. Everyone realised ir role and kw ir role and understands that. ACT is one of biggest platforms for girls to showcase ir skill and excel and show that team is on right path." Harendra reiterated that fitness is an area which impacted women's team versely.

"Whatever has happened in Pro League is a past, we can't keep crying on that. Yes, we kw we lost 13 games but re are reasons behind. reasons are t technical, but tactical, it's about fitness and that's why I took m to Indian Naval Acemy.

"I am looking at results, I am looking at progress y are making day after day," he said.

Harendra said toger with fitness, mental aspect of game is also very important.

"Modern hockey doesn't compromise on fitness, if you slightly stray you are going to pay price. Once you are fit you are mentally strong because you kw if you lose ball you kw you have gas to regain ball," he said.

"I am t willing to look at past, that is history for me. Always live in present and present is that we have Asian Champions Trophy to defend which can get entire country out of that setback." "Deepika and Manisha Chauhan I am working ir dragflicks and I am confident about m. I am confident y will deliver." coach said he his pinning his eyes on young dragflickers Deepika and Manisha Chauhan to deliver goods in tournament.

"Deepika and Manisha Chauhan, I am working ir dragflicks and I am confident about m. I am confident y will deliver," Hraendra said.

India captain Salima Tete said Olympic silver medallist China is biggest threat in ir title defence.

"China is biggest threat for us but we are t underestimating any side. Every team can upset ar on given day," she said.

Salima said leing side at such a young of 22 is definitely a challenge but she is up for it.

"It's a challenge for me and I accept that, very few people get that hour. But my focus is on my own performance which will definitely motivate ors," she said.