RP Singh
“Some players from the current Asian Games team may not be able to continue until 2028. He added, however, that the immediate focus was on the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026, to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from Oct 27 to Nov 5. The India A team camp will begin in Bengaluru on Oct 11 ahead of its tour of New Zealand, while the camp for the Asian Champions Trophy will start in Jalandhar on Oct 18. On the Senior National Hockey Championship, RP Singh said the senior men’s event, beginning in Jhansi on Oct 10, was initially scheduled to be held in Odisha a week earlier. Team camps had already been set up in Odisha, but the Odisha Hockey Association declined to host the 2026 Senior Men’s National Hockey Championship.
The time has come to look for their replacements and accord them a respectful retirement,” RP Singh told TOI. Asked whether captain Harmanpreet Singh could remain part of the squad for the Los Angeles Olympics, RP Singh said the defender was currently fit and available. Whoever remains fit and performs well will be considered for the Los Angeles Olympics,” he said. RP Singh said the Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship in Jhansi would serve as an important platform for identifying emerging talent and consistent performers. “Selectors will be able to spot exciting talent from a larger pool for the national team, as 29 teams are in the fray.”
“Harmanpreet is fit at the moment and has no issues right now, but anything can happen in sport. Fitness is crucial for every player. India will hold two camps this month. Most players who featured in the Asian Games are expected to attend the Jalandhar camp. Uttar Pradesh then stepped in to host the event, making the necessary arrangements at short notice.