32 men hockey players named for central contracts

New Delhi: Hockey India on Friday made public the list of 32 senior men players who will be awarded central contracts for the year 2012-2013.

The list of core probables was pruned down to 32 from 48 after a two-day selection trials, which ended at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune yesterday, and was witnessed by HI selectors Balbir Singh and B P Govinda, government observer Harbinder Singh alongwith chief coach Michael Nobbs and exercise physiologist David John.

According to statement issued by HI, all the 32 probables will be awarded annual retainership fee which is in the process of finalisation and will be announced very soon.

The 32, from a group of 48, were selected after trials at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune which was attended by HI selectors along with the chief coach and physio.

The list has three goalkeepers, five defenders, nine mid-fielders and 15 forwards, including all the top names of Indian hockey.

However, players like former captain Rajpal Singh, goalkeeper Adrian D'souza and Mandeep Antil, who participated in the unsanctioned World Series Hockey, do not feature in the list.

List of 32 players:

Goalkeepers: Bharat Chetri, Sreejesh P R, P.T. Rao

Defenders: V.R. Raghunath, Ignace Tirkey, Sandeep Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Harbir Singh

Midfielders: Sardar Singh, Kothajit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Birendra Lakra, Manpreet Singh, M.B. Aiyappa, Bipin Karketta, Pardeep Mor and Gurmail Singh

Forwards: S.V. Sunil, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, Sarvanjit Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Shivendra Singh, Danish Mujtaba, Tushar Khandker, S.K. Uthappa, Pradhanna Sommanna, Nithin Thimmaiah, Yuvraj Walmiki, Dharamvir Singh, Akashdeep Singh, M.G.Poonacha and Prabhdeep Singh

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