In pictures: Indian men's hockey team showcase official Olympic jersey ahead of Paris 2024 campaign
The Indian men's hockey team showcased their official Olympic jersey at the SAI (Sports Authority of India) complex in Bengaluru on Saturday, July 6. The Men in Blue posed in front of the Olympic Rings at the SAI Campus where they completed a two-week camp ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
According to Hockey India, the 19-member team will leave for Europe on Monday where they will undergo a mental toughness and conditioning session before playing some practice matches.
A smiling Craig Fulton, Chief Coach of the Indian men's team, flanked by captain Harmanpreet Singh and striker Mandeep Singh, posed in the blue and white jersey alongside all the 19 members of the Paris-bound Indian squad.
The Indian men's team for the Paris Olympics was announced on June 26. The squad which includes 16 members of the regular team and three alternate athletes went through a National Coaching Camp at the SAI complex after having played the European leg of the FIH Pro League.
The Harmanpreet Singh-led side will travel to Mike Horn's base in Switzerland for a mental conditioning session before travelling to the Netherlands, where they will play practice matches ahead of their 2024 Olympic campaign.
Looking ahead to the pool matches of the Indian men's hockey team at the 2024 Paris Olympics
The Indian men will face New Zealand in a Group B match on July 27 in what is expected to be a tricky opening encounter.
While the Tokyo Olympic bronze-medalists have played against all their Group B opponents at the recently-concluded FIH Men's HockeyPro League, the Black Sticks, who beat India at last year's World Cup, did not feature in the tournament.
The Indians then take on 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalists Argentina on July 29. The Indians registered a 2-2 draw in the first of their Pro League games against Argentina in May before winning the second leg 5-4.
A day later Craig Fulton's chargers take on Ireland in Paris. A last-minute goal from Gurjant Singh helped India overcome a determined Irish challenge 1-0 at the Hockey Pro League. The Indians did however get their act together to defeat Ireland 4-0 in the second game in Rourkela.
Defending champions Belgium will square off with India on August 1. Despite not being at their best, Belgium beat India 4-1 in Antwerp before both teams settled for a 2-2 draw in the second of their Pro League matches. Belgium subsequently finished fifth in the nine-team league while the Indians ended seventh.
A day after playing Belgium, the Indians will play Australia in their last pool match. After the first match between the two hockey greats ended in an exciting 6-4 win for the Kookaburras at the Pro League, the second witnessed a 2-2 draw.
The top four teams from the pool will advance to the quarterfinals of the men's hockey event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.