Chanu to lead

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 5. Goalkeeper Tingoleima Chanu will lead the 18- member Indian hockey team to the women's World Cup qualifying tournament, scheduled to be held in Amiens and Abbeville in France, from September 17 to 30.

India has been grouped in the eight-member Pool `A' of the 16- team competition, from which seven countries will qualify for the 10th women's World Cup.

The Indian Women's Hockey Federation (IWHF), which announced the team on Wednesday, dropped three players, Suman Deswal, Anu Kumari and Subhadra Pradhan, from the team that toured New Zealand and Australia in June. Helen Mary, Kanti Baa and Adline Kerketta have been drafted in.

In the four-match Test series, India drew with New Zealand 2-2 and had a 1-0 win against the Australia Institute of Sports teams in the three-match practice series. The team will leave for France on September 12.

The groupings: Pool `A': England, France, India, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Ukraine and Uruguay. Pool `B': Belgium, Canada, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Russia, Scotland and United States.

The team: Tingoleima Chanu (Capt.), Helen Mary, Amandeep Kaur, Suman Bala, Kanti Baa, Sita Gossain, Sumari Tete, Agnecia Lugun, Masira Surin, Neha Singh, Manjinder Kaur, Jyoti Sunita Kullu, Saggai Ibemal Chanu, Suraj Lata Devi, Pakpi Devi, Adline Kerketta, Mamta Kharab and Surinder Kaur. Officials: Ms. Rupa Saini (manager), Mr. A.K. Bansal (chief coach), Mr. N.S. Saini (coach) and Dr. Ashok Ahuja.

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Section  : Sport
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