Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team for Sultan of Johor Cup Announced, PR Sreejesh appointed Head Coach

Hockey India unveiled the 18 players who will represent the country at the 12th Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia.

The team will work under the guidance of the newly appointed Head Coach, PR Sreejesh. This announcement also highlighted that Amir Ali will lead the team as captain with Rohit acting as vice-captain, marking a significant step for the junior men's hockey team.

Indian Junior Men s Hockey Team — (Image: Hockey India)

The Sultan of Johor Cup, a crucial fixture in the hockey calendar, is set to witness India's junior team in action against some formidable international teams. They will kickstart their journey with a game against Japan on 19th October, followed by a series of matches against Great Britain, hosts Malaysia, Australia, and concluding the group stage with New Zealand on 25th October. The aim is to secure a top-two finish in the pool, which will pave the way for them to compete in the Final on 26th October.

The team's composition includes Amir Ali, a defender, and Gurjot Singh, a forward, both of whom recently contributed to the Indian Men's Hockey Team's success at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in China. Their performances were noteworthy, with Ali stepping in effectively for the injured Sanjay and Gurjot leading the attack across all games, demonstrating his skill and potential.

The team's captain, Amir Ali, shared his views on the importance of the upcoming tournament. He remarked, "The Sultan of Johor Cup is an important tournament in our calendar as always. The tournament will serve as a litmus test for the team ahead of the Men's Junior Asia Cup Muscat 2024 in November this year. All the players are excited to play some intense hockey matches in Malaysia." This statement underlines the team's anticipation and the crucial role the tournament plays in their preparation for future competitions.

Echoing the captain's sentiments, Vice-Captain Rohit expressed enthusiasm about the team's leadership, stating, "We have an Indian hockey legend taking charge of the team, the whole team is raring to go. PR Sreejesh is one of the most experienced players to play for India, and we look forward to making him proud in our first tournament. The mood in the camp has been excellent and we want to capitalise on this by showcasing our potential at the Sultan of Johor Cup." This highlights the team's morale and their eagerness to excel under the guidance of a seasoned player like PR Sreejesh.