New Delhi: As the much-anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) makes its return from December 28 to February 1, 2025, the Soorma Hockey Club has begun its preparations with a focused training camp at the Sector 42 Sports Complex. This camp plays a crucial role in shaping the team’s strategies, fostering teamwork, and refining player coordination ahead of the season.
The team’s coach and mentor, Sardar Singh, spoke about the significance of the camp, highlighting the importance of developing unity and understanding among the players. “Given that some of the players have never played together before, this camp is essential to familiarizing them with one another. Our objective is to establish a solid, cohesive team dynamic and ensure coordination on the field,” said Sardar Singh.
The camp features both Indian and international players, with key figures such as Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian national team and two-time Olympic bronze medalist, joining on December 14. Other prominent Indian players, including Vivek Sagar Prasad, Gurjant Singh, Maninder Singh, Sunit Lakra, and Mohit HS, are also part of the squad. Harmanpreet expressed his excitement about the upcoming season, noting, “We are all thrilled to be representing Soorma Hockey Club, and having the camp in Chandigarh, the area we represent, is really significant to us. The enthusiasm has increased since the international players joined us, and we want to use it to improve our performances.”
The international players, who arrived at the camp on Wednesday, bring a wealth of experience and diverse playing styles. Belgian players Victor Wegnez and Nicolas Poncelet, along with Australian drag flicker Jeremy Hayward, are already part of the squad. In the coming days, the team is expected to welcome more foreign players, including Argentine midfielder Nicolas Della Torre, Dutch attacker Boris Burkhardt, South African sensation Dayaan Cassiem, and Belgium’s Olympic gold medal-winning goalkeeper, Vincent Vanasch.
Soorma Hockey Club’s first match of the season will be against the Tamil Nadu Dragons on December 29 in Rourkela, marking the official beginning of their Hockey India League campaign. With a blend of seasoned internationals and talented Indian players, the team is aiming for a strong start and hopes to make a mark in the league this season.
