JOIN USThe experienced forwards, currently out of the national scheme of things, will bolster the squad that boasts of talented drag-flicker and defender VR Raghunath, midfielder Vikramkanth and international goalkeeper Bharat Chetri. The experienced Amar Aiyamma will lead the team.
Pitted in Pool B, Karnataka will take on Assam in their opener on June 11 and Chandigarh on June 13 before wrapping up their pool commitments against Rajasthan on June 14.
The team has also found a sponsor in Namma Metro, enabling it to travel to Bhopal by Rajdhani Express after winding up their camp on Wednesday.
Hockey Karnataka secretary A B Subbaiah expressed confidence that the team would be able to do well this time.
In total 32 teams are competing in the Nationals being conducted by HI for the first time.
The teams are divided into eight groups with the toppers qualifying for the knockout quarterfinals. The semifinals are scheduled to be played on June 18 while the final will take place the next day.
The squad: Bharat Chetri, Tharun Thammanna, VR Raghunath, Irshad Ali, SK Uthappa, Vikramkanth, Rafeeq, Bipin Bopaiah, MK Muddappa, Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh, Amar Aiyamma (capt), Hari Prasad, Pradhan Somanna, KP Dinesh, KM Somanna, KS Appanna, Nithin Thimmaiah, MB Aiyappa.
Coach: BJ Kariappa. Coach/manager: BS Venkatesh. Physio: Jeeth Devaiah.