The Argentines in the Hockey India League
On January 12, women’s action begins in the Indian club tournament, where any player who is interested can sign up. After an auction, the clubs choose who they want to have on their teams. Jimena Cedrés and Victoria Sauze They are the Argentinian women who are part of the contest.
“I didn’t have many expectations that they would call me, but I signed up to try to live the experience of playing in India, since it is not very common for women to play tournaments here, and also to get to know how hockey is experienced in the country”Jimena said. The former San Fernando player and current KHC Dragons player in Belgium, shares a team with Natalia Salvador, Las Diablas goalkeeper.
The tournament, in the women’s branch, is made up of a single group of four teams. Cedrés and Salvador are part of Soorma Hockey Club, while Victoria Sauze is part of Odisha Warriors. It begins on Sunday the 12th and ends on Sunday the 26th of January. The two Argentine players debut on January 12 and 13, but they will meet on Wednesday the 15th. “My goal is to enjoy and learn a little about the Indian style of play which is very particular, they are very aggressive when attacking and I think I can add some of that to my game”clarified the former player of Sanfer.
Soorma had organized two friendlies against a men’s team, and on Thursday the 9th they will travel to Ranchi, where almost the entire tournament will be played. There are two matches to be played in Rourkela, but the final will also be in Ranchi.
Victoria Sauzeformer River Plate player and current Atlètic Terrassa Hockey Club in Barcelona, Spain, shares a team with Olympic champions such as Yibbi Jansen and Freeke Moes. The tournament will surely be a party, since this is how the sport is experienced in India, and for the Latin American players it will be an opportunity to get to know a new culture and even a new vision of hockey.
