Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh further cemented its reputation as a national hockey nursery on Thursday, with six of the 18 players named in India's Men's Under-18 Asia Cup squad hailing from the state. Hockey India announced the squad for the tournament scheduled from May 29 to June 6 in Kakamigahara, Japan, following a national coaching camp held at SAI's Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai ji) Central Centre in Bhopal. The camp was overseen by head coach Sardar Singh along with coach Rajnish Mishra.
Six Players from MP Hockey Academy
The six players from Madhya Pradesh — Aayush Rajak, Avi Manikpuri, Siddharth Ben, Karan Gautam, Ansh Bahutra, and Ghazi Khan — are all products of the MP Hockey Academy. Forward Ketan Kushwaha has been entrusted with the captaincy of the team. Prior to selection, India played a four-match series against the Australian U-18 team during the preparation phase, securing one win, suffering one loss, and drawing two matches.
Coach Sardar Singh's Remarks
"The selection process was incredibly competitive, but we have an 18-member squad that gives us the perfect tactical balance," Sardar Singh said. "Our training in Bhopal and the exposure matches against a top-tier side like Australia gave these boys a great understanding of international pressure and match tempo. We have spent the last few weeks working heavily on our tactical discipline, penalty corner routines, and structure." He added, "The boys are in high spirits; and going into a major tournament like the Asia Cup, our objective is clear — we want to execute our plans effectively, top our group and put ourselves in the best possible position to bring home the trophy."
MP Academy Coach's Perspective
MP Hockey Academy head coach Sameer Dad commented that the selections underline the state's depth. "The state is full of talent; players just need a platform to showcase their abilities," he said.
India's Asia Cup Schedule
India will open their campaign against Kazakhstan on May 29, followed by hosts Japan on May 31, South Korea on June 1, and Chinese Taipei on June 3. The semi-finals are scheduled for June 5, with the final on June 6.
