New Delhi: Defender Varun Kumar and Mid-Fielder Simranjeet Singh arranged to make their Olympic debut after they added to the Indian men’s hockey team after the IOC decision to allow “alternative athletes” in the team’s program due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Indian hockey, who initially named 16 members of his son and a woman for the coming match, has now added two players in both teams.
While Varun and Simranjeet late inclusion in the men’s team, defender reena Khokhar and experienced Middle Middle Toppo added to the women.
“Varun and Simranjeet have been added to the side of 16 members.
Now is the side of the 18 members.
Even though they are additional, both are ready to select in every match according to the Special IOC guidelines for Tokyo 2020,” a source told PTI.
Traditionally, the Hockey team at the Olympics consisted of 16 players but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made an exception this time, allowing every country to have two additional players in a covid-hit summer game.
According to IOC, sports where “alternative athletes” will be able to replace permanent players in each match are hockey, soccer, handball, rugby and water polo.
In the previous Olympics, the standby player was used to travel with a hockey team but could only take part in the game if there was a player in the 16 members’ squad suffered an injury or out of the game permanently.
Apart from adding, only 16 players can play in the match and the team must send their list a day before their match.
While Varun, Simranjeet and Reena will compete in their Maiden Olympics, Namita is part of the Women’s Hockey team who qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics after hiatus 36 years.
Varun Drag-Flicker, Member of the 2016 Junior World Cup Winner, will provide eight Indian gold medals from other penalties along the side of the side such as HarmanPreet Singh, Ruplindas Amit Rohidas.
Simranjeet will strengthen the mid-Indian field to be led by Captain Manpreet Singh.
SimRanjeet, a product from Jalandhar Surhit Singh Hockey Academy, is also a member of the 2016 Junior World Cup winner.
The theme of his cousin team and Junior Gurjant Singh is also part of Tokyo’s tied squad.