The Indian women's hockey team has achieved its highest-ever global ranking, securing the sixth position with 2368.83 rating points, surpassing England, through their remarkable performance in both the Asian Champions Trophy.
Before the Asian Games, the Indian women's team held the eighth position. However, their exceptional performance, which included winning the Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi while remaining undefeated, along with earning a bronze medal at the continental event, has propelled them back to their best-ever world ranking. This achievement was last accomplished during the FIH Pro League in June 2022.
The Netherlands remain the top-ranked women's hockey team in the world with 3422.40 points, followed by Australia in second place with 2817.73 points and Argentina in third place with 2766.90 points.
India are ranked sixth, with two teams ahead of them: Belgium in fourth place with 2608.77 points and Germany in fifth place with 2573.72 points.
This climb in the world rankings is a significant boost for the team as they prepare for the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, scheduled to take place from January 13 to 19 in Ranchi.
In these qualifiers, India will compete against Germany, New Zealand, Japan, Chile, the United States, Italy, and the Czech Republic, aiming to secure a spot in the Paris Olympics next year.
Praising the Indian Women’s Hockey Team, Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “I would like to congratulate the team on achieving this ranking, it is a testament to the hard work and sacrifices they have made in their careers so far. The aim is to break into the top three with time and this serves as a good indicator that the team is on the rise. With Peter Haberl also joining the setup as a mental conditioning coach I am confident that the team will go from strength to strength and outdo themselves in the near future.”
“The Indian women’s hockey team has done well to become the sixth-best team in the world, they deserve all the plaudits coming their way. And with the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers also coming up it is a great opportunity to show the world that India are a force to be reckoned with”, Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh said.
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