Indian junior men's hockey team depart for Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 in Malaysia

The young colts are the defending champions having won the tournament in 2022.

The Indian junior men's hockey team embarked on their journey from Bengaluru to Kuala Lumpur in the early hours of Wednesday to participate in the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup 2023, set to unfold in Johor, Malaysia, from October 27 to November 4. Notably, India will enter the competition as the defending champions, having emerged victorious in the previous edition in 2022 when they triumphed over Australia in the final.

India finds itself in Pool B, alongside Malaysia, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Pool A comprises Germany, Australia, South Africa, and Great Britain. Under the leadership of Captain Uttam Singh, with Vice-Captain Rajinder Singh by his side, the Indian team aims to secure a top-two finish in Pool B to ensure their passage to the semi-finals.

The Indian team will commence their campaign with a face-off against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 27th, followed by a clash against hosts Malaysia on October 28th. After a day of rest, India will return to action on October 30th, taking on New Zealand in their final pool match.

Captain Uttam Singh expressed his thoughts before the team's departure from Bengaluru, saying, "We are honored to represent India as the defending champions in the 11th Sultan of Johor Cup. It's a privilege to lead this talented group of players.

Our focus is on maintaining the high standards we've set for ourselves and showing the world the spirit and skill of Indian hockey. We are well-prepared, and our goal is clear - to bring the trophy back home. The rivalry with Pakistan adds an extra layer of intensity to our campaign, and we're looking forward to a strong start against them."

Vice-Captain Rajinder Singh also shared his thoughts on the tournament, saying, "As the Vice-Captain, my role is to support Captain Uttam Singh and the team in every way possible. We have a great mix of experienced and young talent, and we're excited to take on this challenge.

The Sultan of Johor Cup is a platform for us to showcase our abilities, and we're determined to defend our title with determination and teamwork. The tournament brings a level of competition that will push us to be our best."

“Furthermore, the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 holds significant importance in our journey towards the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2023 as it provides a vital opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities and readiness for the upcoming World Cup. So, we are eager to give our best,” he added.

The Indian Junior men's hockey team will kick off their 11th Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 campaign against Pakistan on October 27th at 13:35 IST.