Three CHFA trainees picked in junior side for European Tour

“I am elated about my selection in the Indian junior team for Europe. I played in the World Series of Hockey last year and faced a one-year ban from Hockey India due to my participation. I distanced myself from WSH and we were given an opportunity to be a part of the Indian junior camp. I was lucky to train along with Gurjinder and Gagandeep and they have helped me a lot at the camp. They have played at the senior level and their tips help me. Our coach Baljeet Singh Saini has spent a lot of time with us and his presence will boost my confidence a lot ahead of the Europe tour,” said Harjot,who belongs to Amloh village near Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab and graduated from CHFA in 2011.

While goalie Harjot will be making his international debut in Europe,drag flickers Gagandeep and Gurjinder have plenty of experience at the senior level along with international exposure. Gurjinder was adjudged the player of the tournament during last year’s World Series of Hockey and later played in FIH World League Round 2 held in New Delhi as a member of the title-winning Indian hockey team. Gagandeep played for the Indian junior team in the Malaysia international tourney last year and was later picked up by the Mumbai franchise in the Hockey India League early this year. The drag flicker from Bhadal Thua village near Sirhind was a trainee at CHFA and shot to fame when he was picked up for $23,000 by the Mumbai franchise in the Hockey India League.

“It will be my second international tournament for the junior side and I am aiming to give my best. Last year,the Malaysian tournament gave me a chance to play against the best teams in Asia. The upcoming Europe tour will give me a chance to compete against top-ranked European teams. Our new South African coach Greg Clarke along with Saini sir will be going with us,and it will help us before the all-important Junior World Cup to be held in India later this year. The Europe tour is important for us as it would give us a chance to strengthen our case for the Junior World Cup,” Gagandeep told Chandigarh Newsline from Bangalore.

The trio trained under coach Gurminder Singh at CHFA,and the coach believes that the trio can be strong contenders for the Indian hockey team for the Junior World Cup. “The Europe tour will be vital for all of them. Harjot has displayed great goal-keeping skills at the domestic level,and playing at the international level will boost his confidence a lot. Gurjinder was sidelined due to the ban but now he has shown why he is rated as a top-level drag flicker. Gagandeep played in the Hockey India League and he benefited a lot from playing along with international players,” said the coach.