With local girl Mumtaz in frontline, India aim for a fine start vs France
LUCKNOW: On Friday, when India’s junior women’s hockey team takes on the French senior side in the first of the four-match ‘Test’ series here, it will be a big occasion for a poor family in Lucknow as they will watch their daughter, Mumtaz Khan, in action for the first time.
Young forward Mumtaz has been drafted into the 20-member side to play the series, and this will be the first time she’ll play in front of her family.
Mumtaz, who has given a good account of herself since the 2017 Under-18 Asia Cup at Bangkok, comes from a family of 10, including six girls, in Topkhana Bazar here. She has asked all her family members and relatives to come to the Padma Shri Mohd Shahid Stadium in Gomti Nagar to watch her in action.
“This is the first time we’ll watch her play an international match. She has asked all of us to come,” Mumtaz’s elder sister Farah said on Thursday, adding, “The decision to put Mumtaz into sport has changed our lives.”
Mumtaz’s father, Mohd Hafeez, who sells vegetables in Topkhana Bazar, her mother, sisters and relatives are excited about the match on Friday. “It’s been made possible by the grace of God and Mumtaz’s hard work. I am proud of her,” said Hafeez.
Ace defender Salima Tete will lead the Indian side in the firstever Test series in Lucknow. The second match will be played at the same venue on Saturday, while the third ‘Test’ is slated to be played at Veer Bahadur Singh Sports College in Gorakhpur on Monday. The teams will return to Lucknow for the final match on February 13.
Young forward, Lalremsiami, who was part of the senior team that toured Spain last week, has joined the junior side here for the series. French coach Gael Foulard Perso feels the series will give good exposure to the world’s No 30 ranked team. “It’s a good opportunity for my girls to learn and experience new things in the game as the Indian side is quite challenging,” said Gael.
For India coach Bajleet Singh, the series is a good exposure opportunity ahead of the Asia Cup. “The matches will help our team gain match-fitness and experience. We are up against a group of players who have played together for a considerably long time, and I feel our team’s combination is such that it will give all the players an opportunity to contribute with their efforts on the field.
“This series will help us develop these players for bigger challenges such as the Junior Asia Cup,” he added. Matches in Lucknow would be played the lights from 5.00 p.m, whereas the only match at Gorakhpur is due to start at 3.00 p.m.