Azlan Shah probables begin training in Chennai

Chennai, May 19 (UNI)For the first time after the Champions trophy tourney in December last, the newly floodlit astro-turf stadium here sprang to life with the first of the two phase preparatory camp to pick the Indian team for the Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament to be played in Kuala Lumpur in mid June, rolling out.

Chief Coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran told newspersons that the first phase camp would be held for nine days. There would be a break of six days after the first phase which will end with the selection of the final team on May 24 or 25 by the selection committee.

The second phase of the camp for the final team of 18 players will be held from June 3 till the departure of the team to Kuala Lumpur from here, the former India captain, who has been appointed the chief coach for a third time, said.

Bhaskaran, who took over from Rajinder Singh(Jr) two months ago, said of the 31 probables, only Sandeep Singh, who is playing in the Dutch league was yet to arrive. Former captain and ace forward Gagan Ajit Singh arrived here from the Netherlands today. He would be joining the training sessions from tomorrow.

''The progress of the players is good. There are no worries about the fitness of any player,'' he pointed out.

Bhaskaran also denied that there was any plan to recall ace centre forward Dhanraj Pillai.

The probables included Dilip Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, Nitin Kumar and Gagan Ajit Singh who are now playing in the Dutch league.

The probables: Goal Keepers: K Bharat Chetri, Baljit Singh, Adrian D' Souza.

Full Backs: Dilip Tirkey, Kanwalpreet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Jugraj Singh, Harpal Singh, William Xalxo.

Mid-fielders: Prabodh Tirkey, Ajmer Singh, Vikram Pillay, Ignace Tirkey, V S Vinay, Bimal Lakra, Sunil Ekka, Nitin Kumar, Viren Rasquinha.

Forwards: Gagan Ajit Singh, Rajpal Singh, Tushar Khandekar, Arjun Halappa, Adam Sinclair, Shivendra Singh, Birender Lakra, Hari Prasad, Gurvinder Singh, Sardar Singh, Didar Singh, Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh.

UNI VV DH RN1908