Bengaluru, October 8(HS): The Indian junior men’s hockey team departed from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, on Tuesday evening for Malaysia to participate in the 13th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup, scheduled from October 11 to 18, 2025.Led by captain Rohit, the Indian side aims to improve upon its performance from last year, when it clinched the bronze medal in this prestigious tournament.

With a balanced mix of experienced and young players, the team is determined to deliver strong performances against top international sides.India will open its campaign on October 11 against Great Britain, followed by matches against New Zealand on October 12, Pakistan on October 14, Australia on October 15, and hosts Malaysia on October 17.

The top two teams from the league stage will face off in the final on October 18.Speaking before departure, captain Rohit expressed confidence about his team’s preparation and ambition. “We are very excited to compete in the Sultan of Johor Cup. It’s a special tournament featuring the world’s best junior teams. Last year, we returned with a bronze medal, but this time our target is to reach the final and perform even better. The team spirit is high, and everyone is ready to give their best for the country,” he said.

He added, “Over the past few weeks, we have worked extremely hard at our training camp in Bengaluru, focusing on speed, structure, and finishing. The coaching staff has prepared us well, and our team unity has grown stronger. We know every match will be challenging, but we are fully prepared for it. Our first goal is to begin well against Great Britain and build momentum from there.”

—————

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar