Paris, July 27: The stage is set for an electrifying start to the Indian men’s hockey team’s Olympic campaign as they gear up to face New Zealand at the storied Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on July 27. With the echoes of their Tokyo bronze still fresh, Harmanpreet Singh’s squad is eyeing a golden upgrade in Paris.
In a move showing their unwavering focus, the team opted out of the glitzy opening ceremony to fine-tune their strategies. They’ve been on a rigorous journey, battling top-tier teams in the FIH Pro League and honing their skills in intensive camps across Bengaluru and Europe. The mental resilience of the squad is being bolstered by Paddy Upton and adventurer Mike Horn, both of whom were key figures in India’s 2011 cricket World Cup triumph.
“Our focus is to improve match by match. We are fully ready for tomorrow’s game. We have analysed them well and worked on minor fine-tuning today,” Harmanpreet shared with *The Hindu*.
Arriving in Paris on July 20, the team has had ample time to acclimatize. Their recent matches in Holland have set a solid foundation for their Olympic quest. “We are looking forward to playing well,” Harmanpreet noted.
The psychological preparation, guided by Upton, has been crucial. “We are relaxed. You need to be mentally calm and physically fit. We have worked on it. I think it will definitely help us in this tournament. All of us know what their target is and what they have to do,” the captain explained.
Competing at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, a venue steeped in Olympic history from 1924, adds an extra layer of excitement. “It is a good opportunity that after 100 years it is happening here again. We should win it, take the gold medal, and make it memorable,” Harmanpreet expressed.
Following their clash with New Zealand, India will battle Argentina (July 29), Ireland (July 30), Belgium (August 1), and Australia (August 2) in their Pool B fixtures. The Indian team is keen to start strong and build unstoppable momentum as they aim for glory in Paris.