Press Trust of India
Bangalore, March 31: With an eye on the Olympics, the Indian hockey team skipper Sardar Singh said Thursday that the upcoming tournaments like Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Champions Trophy will serve as important preparatory events in the run-up to the Rio Games.
Sardar said while the immediate aim is to win a gold in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at Ipoh April 6-16, the larger goal is to come up with a medal-winning show in the Champions Trophy, to be played in London, June 10-17.
“We have a very busy schedule over the next few months. So, we need a very strong core group of players around which the team will revolve. Though the immediate focus of our preparation is the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, but we are also looking ahead at the Champions Trophy that will be played in June,” Sardar said here Thursday.
The Indians have enjoyed considerable success in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, winning the tournament five times – 1985, 1991, 1995, 2009 and 2010. Last year, India finished third and Sardar said his team’s target is to do better this time around.
“We can do better than winning bronze,” stated Sardar. “We are a talented side. This year our aim is to come back with gold,” he added.
