BENGALURU: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team have been put through the grind at the on-going National Coaching Camp in Bengaluru where Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne is making them sweat under sultry summer sun in hope that the players will not wither away in the stark conditions that await them in Tokyo during the 2020 Olympic Games. 

“During our meetings, we have discussed that how the weather will be very challenging during the Tokyo Games,” stated Gurjit Kaur on being asked about the on-going training camp.  

“It is expected to be over 30-35 degrees when we play in Tokyo and it is also expected to be very humid which is why our training sessions are planned at different times in this camp. Usually we would train on the pitch between 8am and 10am in the morning and 4pm to 6pm in the evening but now we train around 12 noon or 2pm under the afternoon sun. The training is intense and it’s not easy to keep up speed in these conditions,” explained the ace dragflicker who has been nominated for the Indian Sports Honour for Sports Woman of the Year (team sport).  

The team is looking to peak at the right time in Tokyo and the current program is planned in such a way that the players are at their optimal best for the Olympics. “Our tours and matches are being planned in such a way that we peak at the right time and our performance has been steadily improving,” she added.