Indian juniors take on Bangaldesh

Kuala Lumpur, May 2: World Cup runners-up India will aim to qualify for the next edition with the title to boot when they start campaign i...

Kuala Lumpur, May 2: World Cup runners-up India will aim to qualify for the next edition with the title to boot when they start campaign in the junior Asia Cup (under-21) hockey championship beginning here on Wednesday.

Frontrunners alongwith Pakistan and Korea to seal the three qualifying spots for next year’s World Cup to be held at Hobart, India take on lightweights Bangladesh on Wednesday and look assured of a smooth passage into the last four stage.

India are placed in the relatively easy Group B, which also has China, Japan, Uzbekistan and debutants Iran while Group A looks much tougher with Pakistan, winners of the 1997 edition in Singapore, South Korea and upcoming Malaysia to fight it out.

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“Of course, first I would cement my place in the World Cup, but immediately after that the team would move into the next level, of winning the championship,” a confident coach CR Kumar said.

The Indian team has been bolstered by the inclusion of forwards Gagan Ajit Singh and Deepak Thakur, permanant members of the senior side who played vital roles in the recent title win at the Perth four-nation tournament.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

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Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

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