India: IWHF invites Russian team for five Tests 
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| India |
July 21, 2004
Outlookindia.com
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Indian Women's Hockey Federation today said it has invited a team from Russia for a Test series in September that would provide some exposure to the junior players before the start of the Asia Cup later this year.
According to the schedule prepared by the federation, the Russians would play five Test matches during the tour, IWHF Secretary Amrit Bose told reporters on the opening day of the two-day under-21 selection trials at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium here.
The junior Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad in October.
Bose said though the venues for the series are yet to be finalised, a Test each could be allotted to Delhi and Chandigarh if they show interest in staging them.
IWHF will also host the Indira Gandhi Gold Cup in Delhi from October 1 to 9 next year, Bose said adding that Australia and Malaysia have already confirmed their participation.
"We have invited teams from Germany, Australia, New Zealand, England Wales, Scotland, China, Japan and Korea. The selection of the teams would be on the basis of first-come-first-serve basis." Bose also spoke about the plans to send the senior team to Australia for a one month training-cum-competition programme next year.
"This is part of our four-year development plan. The Indian junior and senior girls are attending national coaching camps in preparations for India's participation in the World Cup in Madrid, Commonwealth Games in Australia and the Doha Asian Games in 2006," she said.
Bose declined to comment on the sacking of Indian men team's chief coach Rajinder Singh only a few days before the Athens Olympics.
She, however, added that IWHF was not making any move to sack the women team's coaches including chief coach M K Kaushik "They have been appointed for a four-year term," she said.
"Our coaches are doing a fine job. However, there is nothing wrong in learning good things from foreign experts." The selection trial was also attended by selector Madhu Yadav, chief coach Kaushik and Narinder Saini.
The thirty-nine probables attending the camp were divided into four teams to play matches between them.
According to Bose, the number of probables would be pruned to 24 who would report to the next camp in Hyderabad from August 10.
"This will provide the players with an opportunity to have a feel of the venue for the junior Asia Cup." She also said that a senior camp for 30 probables would begin soon.
IWHF President Vidya Stokes would attend the selection trials tomorrow.
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