Nousheen gets another shot at glory, picked for women’s hockey5s in Muscat

Bhopal: Fresh from her stellar exploits at the recent Under-18 Asia Cup in Japan, Seoni’s 15-year-old hockey starlet, Nousheen Naz, has earned another shot at glory on the global stage.The teen, who was treated to a rockstar-like reception on her return home after emerging as the top goal-getter in the tournament, was on Tuesday named in the 15‑member Sub‑Junior Women’s squad for the inaugural Women’s Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Oman’s capital, Muscat.Apart from Nousheen, the squad picked by Hockey India, also features two other Madhya Pradesh girls who distinguished themselves in the U-18 Asia Cup, cementing the state’s new identity as the supply line of talent for Indian hockey.All three trained at the Madhya Pradesh women’s hockey academy in Gwalior. The coaches there credited the facility with creating a professional environment for young athletes—complete with recovery rooms, video analysis and structured on-field repetition more commonly seen with senior teams.Unassuming but fiercely determined, Nousheen arrived at the national training camp in Bhopal that began on July 4, aiming to harness her reputation as a tenacious goal poacher who can also keep her composure under pressure.

Her coaches and teammates praised her reading of the game, combined with the ability to find pockets of space in crowded areas — attributes ideally suited to Hockey5s, the faster, condensed format that places a premium on rapid transitions and sharp decision-making.Under the watchful eyes of former India captain and sub-junior coach Rani Rampal, the 15-member women’s squad is rapidly adapting to the unique demands of the Hockey5s’ format.

“We are teaching these girls how to familiarise themselves to the demands of Hockey5s,” Rani said, stressing speed, fitness and split‑second decisions.During training drills, Nousheen has repeatedly been able to convert brief possessions into forward momentum, a trait coaches say will serve her well on the continental stage.Nousheen’s rise has been steady and incremental. After progressing through district and state circuits, she caught the selectors’ eye during performances at the recent Asia Cup in Japan.

That tournament, and India’s broader youth programme, have provided crucial exposure to a talented bunch that is ready to take on the world.Hockey India’s youth initiatives had a lot to do with the U‑18 girls securing bronze at the Asia Cup, reinforcing the value of a robust development pipeline.MP’s integrated approach to player development — blending technical coaching, physical conditioning and tactical film work — is emerging as a blueprint for producing match‑ready youngsters.

For Nousheen and her statemates, those resources have translated into national recognition and the chance to test themselves against global peers in Muscat.The Women’s Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship is a significant step for sub‑junior teams, offering the first large‑scale competitive platform in this format.As the national training camp goes through the gears in Bhopal, the focus will be on whether teen hockey prodigies like Nousheen can convert potential into performance. On the evidence of hertemperament and intensity at the camp, the promising forward from Seoni looks well placed to make a lasting impression in Muscat.