x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   After skipping his Choubarsi, Cong to observe death anniversary of Madan Lal Sharma | Amid chill, CM Omar stations himself in Kashmir to ensure relief | ‘South Indian cinema can promote J&K’s natural beauty’ | Income Tax Deptt serves notice to PDP MLA | Suspected TeM terrorist arrested in Bengal | Properties worth Rs 1.28 cr attached under NDPS Act | 3 held with arms in North Kashmir | CB produces challans against 18 accused | Trainee cop dies of bullet wound | Battling power cuts, Kashmiris fall back on Kangris | Annual Mahotsav 2024 showcases Swadeshi Spirit & Self-Reliance: Kavinder | Javed Rana inspects Gujjar Bakerwal hostel | Modi Govt builds on Vajpayee's legacy, strengthening India's global position: Rohiin Chandan | Trikuta Nagar Welfare Society Raises Alarm Over Rising Crime, Drug Abuse | DC Bandipora Inspects JKSSB Exam Centres, Reviews Arrangements | Keshav Chopra organises Free Health Check Up Camp | Congress to connect with roots, observe anniversaries of all top leaders | NDS Felicitates Eminent Artists at ‘Dogri Bhasha Mannata Dhiadda’ Celebration | Indian Army organised Mobile Medical Patrol | ADC Kupwara inspects JKSSB Examination Centres | PDP holds meeting in Habba Kadal zone deliberates upon several issues | Edu Deptt Hosts Debate & Painting Competition | Babu Rampaul reiterates demand for restoration of statehood to J&K | Absconder arrested after evading arrest for over a year | Crackdown on illegal mining; 5 vehicles seized: Reasi Police | Reasi Police launches verification drive of Sim vendors outlets | Bovine smuggling attempt foiled: 11 bovines rescued in Udhampur | Missing girl recovered, reunited with family in Kishtwar | DC Reviews JKSSB Examination Process | Freedom Society Sports, Martial Arts Championship Concludes | 578 Aspirants appear for JKSSB Examination | Free Multi-Speciality Health Checkup camp organized | KUT Judo Championship 2024 to be held in Jammu | JU organises workshop on “Research Methodology” | Equitable System | Back Issues  
 
news details
India look to give final touches to Asian Games preparation in ACT
8/2/2023 10:45:19 PM
agencies
CHENNAI, Aug 2: Tournament favourites and three-time champions India will look to give final touches to their Asian Games preparation and address the areas of improvement in the Asian Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament, beginning here on Thursday.
World number four India are the highest ranked side in the tournament and will open their campaign against China at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here, which will host a major event for the first time since 2007.
It is also the first time India would be hosting the ACT since the tournament's inception in 2011.
For India, the primary objective in the tournament would be to test the players and get a fair bit of idea about their Asian rivals ahead of the Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8.
With the Asian Games providing a direct ticket to next year's Paris Olympics, India are expected to test their resources in the ACT while also playing a balancing act to keep their players fresh and free from injuries ahead of the all-important continental showpiece.
While the scheduling of the ACT just five weeks before the Hangzhou Games has drawn some criticism from the visiting sides, India head coach Craig Fulton does not seem to be too offended by the prospect of featuring in this event.
"... It's something that you have to do. But we need the games. So, it's important that we play it. It's even better that it's in India," Fulton told reporters on Tuesday.
"We are looking forward to the positives and negatives. But, at the same time, we get to look at a few extra players as well, which is important for us. Injury is never nice for any team or player. So, yes, I understand the clash and the timing." India captain Harmanpreet Singh has already clarified that the team will have to be smart in this tournament and will not go all-guns-blazing as its priority is the Asian Games.
India might have gained both in terms of ranking and respect in world hockey, but the Tokyo Games bronze medallists fared poorly in the FIH World Cup co-hosted by Bhubaneswar andf Rourkela earlier this year.
The Indians finished a disappointing ninth in the World Cup. But since then, the Harmanpreet-led side has played as many as 16 games, winning nine of them, losing five, along with a couple of draws.
The Indians will come into the tournament straight from a four-nation Europe tour, with only a three-day gap between their last match in Spain and their opener against China in ACT and that too in contrasting conditions.
The one area India will be looking to address in the tournament is penalty corner conversion rate. Despite boasting of potent dragflickers in Harmanpreet, Varun Kumar, Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh, the conversion rate has been a topic of debate lately.
But coach Fulton is not sleeping over it.
"We have a world-class penalty corner (specialists). All the players involved in it are really good. Opposition teams know we have a threat there and try to diminish it by trying to run down or not conceding as many is always something that teams are trying to do, and that's what we try to do," Fulton had said.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU