SAF, World Cup hockey teams to be picked after Independence Cup

Chennai, Aug 2 (UNI) Indian teams for this month's SAF Games and next month's World Cup would be picked after completion of the Independence Cup scheduled here from August 12-16.

Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) Secretary K Jothikumaran told here today that the Independence Cup would feature the senior national team, the development squad, the Under-18 team and Tamil Nadu state team.

''This tournament is being mainly organised for giving enough match experience to the players and will see tough competition.

Based on the performance of the players in this tournament, the final team for representing India in the World Cup 2006 and SAF Games will be selected,'' Mr Jothikumaran said.

Coach of the senior mational team V Bhaskaran is busy preparing the probables for the World Cup at a camp in Hyderabad, which would be shifted here.

Meanwhile, the preparatory camp for the Indian developemnt team began at the astro-turf stadium here under Chief Coach Clarence Lobo and Md Riaz.

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