CHENNAI: The Hockey India Senior Men National Championship will hold a lot of significance for the domestic players in the run-up to the Hockey India League (HIL). The nationals will offer several players a chance to test their skills and improve as they will be up against the world's top players in the HIL.
Hosts Tamil Nadu will have the services of four players who are part of the Tamil Nadu Dragons franchise in the HIL. TN head coach and Dragons' assistant coach Charles Dixon said that the national championship will help the players prepare for the HIL.
"The nationals is going to become more important from this year. Although the auction for the HIL is over, players will want to make a statement. The inclusion of the HIL in the calendar will make domestic players take the tournament (national championship) more seriously," Dixon told TOI.
Out of the four Dragons players in the TN squad for the nationals, India international Karthi Selvam and Sentamizh Arasu have good experience. Goalkeeper Arasu had represented the Indian team in the Sultan of Johor Cup a few years ago. Karthi, who is likely to make a comeback to the national team for the upcoming European tour, will lead the TN side. The 23-year-old took over the reins from Joshua Wesley.
"Karthi has been working very hard for the past one year to develop his skills. He hired a personal trainer and improved his physical fitness. Karthi will shoulder a lot of responsibility as he will have to interact with all the players in the squad. He might have to take a few calls on his own during the match and the new role will give him confidence. Under his leadership, I strongly believe we will finish on the podium," Dixon said.
TN have a good mix of young and experienced players for the nationals. Several players have good match fitness as they have competed regularly for their department sides. The team had a 15-day training camp, and the coach is optimistic about his side doing well.
HIL camp from Nov 25
Tamil Nadu Dragons will start their training camp on November 25 in Chennai. "The first phase of camp for India players will start on November 25, while the foreign players will join from December 10. Head coach Rein van Eijk will take over on December 10," Dixon added.
