New Delhi, 9th July, 2023: Dennis van de Pol, a well-known hockey goalkeeping Coach from the Netherlands, is scheduled to hold two special camps for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team goalkeepers. Dennis van de Pol’s first camp with the Indian Team will begin on 13th July 2023 and end on 19 July 2023. Dennis will return to India from 7th September 2023 to the 14th September 2023 to conduct another training session with the team ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023.
~These special camps are part of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023~
The Indian Men’s Hockey Team will participate in the special sessions during a week-long camp at SAI, Bengaluru, overseen by India’s Chief Coach Craig Fulton. PR Sreejesh, Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera, Prashant Kumar Chauhan, and Pawan Malik will attend the camp.
The camp is part of the preparations for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. In addition, before the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team will compete in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation-International Tournament, a four-nation tournament scheduled to be held from July 25th to July 30th, against England, the Netherlands, and hosts Spain, followed by the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023 in August.
Van de Pol, who has worked with the Drijver Goalie Academy in the Netherlands as well as the KNHB (Koninklijke Nederlandse Hockey Bond) and trains the Dutch youth national teams, is not new to the Indian setup, having previously conducted special camps.
“We are delighted to have Dennis van de Pol back in the training camp to work with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. This is a very important period in the year and having the best to help fine-tune your skills will be beneficial for the team. I am sure the camp will be quite intense and fruitful for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team,” said Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey.
“Dennis van de Pol is a brilliant Coach and it is excellent for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team that he is back to help them out before a very crucial phase in the calendar. Hockey India is extremely happy to welcome back an expert of Dennis’ stature and hopes that the camp helps further raise the standards of Indian hockey,” said Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh.
“I am looking forward to being back with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team for a short camp. This is a fantastic squad and it is always very exciting to work with this team. We have previously had some excellent sessions, and I can’t wait to get started for the upcoming camp,” said Dennis van de Pol.
HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS
Odisha (India’s Best Kept Secret) – Major Team Partner
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Shiv Naresh
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, trains players at sub-junior, junior and senior level. The governing body engages in Coaching the coaches with International Standard certification programs, educates and equips technical officials and umpires to find a foothold in international arena, provides world-class infrastructure and International exposure for the players besides regular international competition. Hockey India has also pioneered in bringing top International hockey events to India such as the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2018, FIH Champions Trophy in 2014, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021, FIH Hockey World League Final in 2017. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India brought the Indian Men’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world. Hockey India is also dedicated to getting the Indian Women’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world.
About ODISHA
Odisha – the Eastern State of India – is known for its love for Hockey and over the years it has evolved to be the Global Hub of Hockey. The State successfully hosted the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, followed by the FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha, FIH Olympic Qualifiers Odisha, and FIH Hockey Pro League 2020-21. Odisha has previously hosted the Champions Trophy 2014 and the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. Odisha also hosted the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2021.
Kalinga Lancers, the team owned by the State, were the winners in the Hockey India League 2017. Taking a step further towards realising the dream of restoring the glory of Indian Hockey at the global level, the State is sponsoring the Indian Hockey Teams till 2033.
Odisha also hosted the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
