On track for a podium finish in Tokyo Olympics: hockey skippers Manpreet and Rani

Neir of m has particularly good Olympic memories to share, but men's hockey skipper Manpreet Singh and his women's counterpart Rani feel that ir teams have learnt eugh lessons to ensure that next year's Tokyo Games become a historic success story. past year has been quite productive for Manpreet-led men's team which mand to maintain its consistency and qualify for Olympics while also tching up good results in its maiden FIH Hockey Pro League campaign with wins against Nerlands, world champions Belgium and Australia.

'On track for a podium finish'

"Looking at way our squ has been performing in last year, we certainly have a good chance to win a medal at Olympics...we have eugh time to evolve as a team as well," Manpreet was quoted as saying by Hockey India in a release.

"We just have to keep concentrating on carrying out processes well and results will take care of itself," he ded.

Like men, year gone by has been a fruitful one for women as well, which saw m produce some outstanding performances across tournaments. y won FIH Women's Series Finals Hiroshima  2019, Olympic Test Event in Japan, and FIH Hockey Olympic  Qualifiers Odisha, along with victories in ir tours of Spain, Malaysia, Republic of Korea and England.  "We have competed against top teams in recent past and we have shown that our team has capability of winning a medal and making our country proud at Olympics," Rani said. "Our team has been getting better with each tournament we have played and we will definitely improve our game even furr in next one year," she ded.

With exactly a year to go for Tokyo Games both captains recalled ir experience at Olympics.  Manpreet, who me his debut at Olympics in 2012, said although team ended last London Games will hold a special place in his heart. "I have been part of two Olympic Games so far, so I have gotten used to big st. However, re's always going to be a touch of nervousness floating around among players as we start one-year countdown," he said. " 2012 Olympic Games was certainly a disastrous campaign for us, but it will be special for me since it was my first Olympics. "We went to 2016 Olympic Games with a much better side and put up a better performance, but we didn't achieve our desired result re. We are certainly looking to up ante in Tokyo," 28-year-old ded.

Speaking about her participation at Rio Olympics -- where Indian team ended last in Group B, managing just one draw -- Rani said experience will help her make better decisions in Tokyo.

"It was great to be a part of Olympics in Rio. We me history by qualifying for tournament after 36 years.

"Even though we didn't register best of results, I have certainly learned a lot by playing Olympic Games matches in 2016," said Rani.

"I am sure all players, who played in 2016 Olympics, will make much better decisions on pitch at Tokyo Olympics, based on ir experience in Rio," she ded. 

Im credits: PTI / Hockey India