Nothing Such As 'Big Names' In Modern Hockey: HI Chief Selector RP Singh Hints At Injection Of Young Blood

Last Updated:September 07, 2025, 19:46 IST

Singh also stated that the federation looks to add new blood to the national senior unit without compromising the state of the current setup.

HI Chief Selector RP Singh.

Hockey India selection committee chairman RP Singh announced that the selection trials for the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup will be held in Bengaluru on September 13.

Singh also stated that the federation looks to add new blood to the national senior unit without compromising the state of the current setup.

“The selection trials for the Junior World Cup will be held in Bengaluru on September 13. There is plenty of talent in the junior ranks and we are confident they can win us a medal in the World Cup," Singh said.

The chairman of selectors stated that the senior team might undergo changes after the Asia Cup, with young performers potentially being called up following the Junior World Cup. He emphasized that no player can assume their place in the team is secure, and tough decisions will be made to end India’s World Cup medal drought. India’s last World Cup medal, their only gold in the tournament, was won in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur under Ajitpal Singh’s captaincy.

“It’s been five decades we have not won a World Cup medal so we will have to take some tough decisions. There are a few players who are under the scanner and we will assess their performances after the Asia Cup," Singh continued.

“We need to see upcoming players while making our team now. At one go, if we sent 6-7 senior players out of the team, it won’t work. It is the responsibility of the selection committee to ensure the senior players, who are not performing, are phased out."

“After Paris Olympics a lot of time has gone. We have made this plan long before. If we don’t give youngsters chance in small tournaments or Test series, we can’t make them play in World Cup straightaway," he added.

“Our plan is to phase out senior players who are not performing and who are not fit.

“Whoever performs, whoever is fit, will be selected. That’s our policy. There is nothing called big names in modern hockey. Every selection should be in the team’s interest," he said.

India opted to leave out three Paris Olympic bronze medallists, Shamsher Singh, Gurjant Singh and Nilakanta Sharma, for the Asia Cup and named youngsters Rajinder Singh and Shilanand Lakra.

“5-6 players are very good in juniors, we will put them in senior core group and send them for tours and judge. We will select the best team for the World Cup and the Asian Games," he said.

“We have dropped a few seniors for the Asia Cup and given chance to some youngsters who have not disappointed us. But we will take suggestions from the coaching staff, including chief coach, before selecting the next core probable group," Singh added.

The 2026 senior men’s FIH World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30, closely followed by the Asian Games within three weeks.

Due to the short interval between these major events, there is speculation that India might deploy different teams for each tournament.

However, Singh dismissed these speculations, affirming that India will field their best teams for both events.

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

News sports Nothing Such As 'Big Names' In Modern Hockey: HI Chief Selector RP Singh Hints At Injection Of Young Blood

Read More