New Delhi, Mar 17: Ace striker Mamta Kharab was today named captain and defender Suman Bala as her deputy by the Indian Women Hockey Federation (IWHF), while shortlisting 22 probables for the Olympic qualifying tournament to be held in Kazan, Russia from April 19 to 27.

According to IWHF president Vidya Stokes, the final squad of 18 players will be picked up later.
The probables: Goal Keepers: Dipika Murty, Marita Tirkey, Poonam Toppo (Rlys) Defenders: Binita Toppo, Suman Bala (V Capt), Rajwinder Kaur, Pushpa Pradhan (Rlys) Mid Fielders: Subhadra Pradhan, Gagandeep Kaur, Asunta Lakra, Th Ranjita (Rlys), Rosalind Ralte, Manorama Devi(Gwalior Academy) Forwards: Mamta Kharab (Capt), Rani Devi, Ritu Rani (Har), Saba Anjum, Surinder Kaur, Jasjeet Kaur, Deepika Thakur, Adline Kerketta, Pritam Rani Siwach (Rlys).

Besides India, other nations taking part in the qualifier are Belgium, France, USA, Netherland Antilles and host Russia.

Only the winner of the tournament will qualify for the Beijing Olympiad.


UNI