KUALA LUMPUR: Youngster Kirandeep Kaur’s impressive performance in the recent Hockey World Series could earn her a spot in the national women’s squad for the Indonesia Asian Games next month.
However, the 14-year-old will need to perform well, if she is to be included in the upcoming tour in Australia, which is the final avenue for the trainees to earn spots in K. Dharmaraj’s Asian Games squad.
Kirandeep featured in all matches in the Hockey World Series in Singapore and even netted her first international goal in the 6-0 thrashing of Thailand in the final.
The other youngsters who impressed in Singapore were Nuramirah Zulkifli and Nurmaizatulhanim Syafi, who are both 17.
“I do not want the trainees to take their spots in the national team for granted,” said Dharmaraj on Sunday.
“I think by including Kirandeep and the other youngsters for the tour will add a healthy competition in the training squad.
“The message here is that players must continuously give their best in every match to stand a chance of playing in the Asian Games.”
Dharmaraj will select 18 players from the tour for the Asian Games.
“Everyone will have a fair chance to be in my 18-member squad as long they do their best in Australia,” Dharmaraj added.
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