Azlan tourney camp to begin tomorrow in Chennai

Chennai, May 18: The preparatory camp for 32 probables for the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament to be played in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia from June 18 will be held at the astro turf stadium here from tomorrow.

According to IHF Secretary K Jyothikumaran, the players will arrive today and the first phase of the camp will be held till May 24. The team for the competition would be announced on that day or on May 25 followed by the second phase of the camp to be held till June 4.

The team would be playing a few practice matches against New Zealand before the tournament begins, he said, adding the team would leave for Kuala Lumpur on June 4.

The camp is being held here as there is no astro turf pitch at the SAI centre in Bangalore where the probables underwent physical training.

India would be under pressure to make a mark in the tournament this year. Last year the team led by Dhanraj Pillai had finished at the bottom of the table.

UNI