<p>Despite missing out on many of their star players, Karnataka coach Ramesh Parameswaran sounded confident of posing a strong challenge in the 64th IHF Senior National hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup that kicks off at the KSHA stadium on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India yet to resolve their deadlock, most top players in the country have chosen not to compete in this six-team Nationals that now appears to be a very open affair.<br /><br />“We’ve made good preparation for the tournament,” said Parameswaran, who is gunning for a hat-trick of titles after having led his club IOCL to the inter-petroleum and KSHA National Hockey League titles last month.<br /><br />“Most of the boys are playing in their first major tournament and I’m hoping that will spur them to give their best. We had a one-week camp at the KSHA stadium and the squad is really piecing together pretty well. <br /><br />“With this being the first Nationals for most of the boys, the tournament will serve as a good learning experience for them.<br /><br />“The stakes may not be that high but the tournament will help them gain visibility. A good showing here may land them a chance in this year’s World Series Hockey or a chance to try out with the top clubs. I’m confident they will give their best and we should be in the reckoning for the title,” added Parmeswaran.<br /><br />Apart from leading the side, WSH player Deepak Bijawad will also be marshalling the hosts’ defence and will be aiming to strike it rich with his drag-flicks. Young Md Naeemuddin and Biju Yirkal will be carrying the bulk of the workload in the striking department.<br /><br />Meanwhile, champions Mumbai and Jharkhand arrived on Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are scheduled to check in on Wednesday while Manipur are expected arrive on Thursday.<br /><br />Karnataka squad: Goalkeepers: SG Sambran, Mahan Gowda. Defenders: Deepak Bijawad (captain), KB Ponnanna, AD Cariappa. Midfielders: Rathan Muthanna, Vinayaka Bijawad, Nagasrinu Y, Naveen Kumar M, Teja Babu S. Forwards: Umesh KR, Rajesh NS, Biju Yirkal, Md Naeemuddin, Chengappa PS, Honnur Swamy N, Bonny Marshal D, Kusha JP.</p>
<p>Despite missing out on many of their star players, Karnataka coach Ramesh Parameswaran sounded confident of posing a strong challenge in the 64th IHF Senior National hockey championship for the Rangaswamy Cup that kicks off at the KSHA stadium on Wednesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>With the Indian Hockey Federation and Hockey India yet to resolve their deadlock, most top players in the country have chosen not to compete in this six-team Nationals that now appears to be a very open affair.<br /><br />“We’ve made good preparation for the tournament,” said Parameswaran, who is gunning for a hat-trick of titles after having led his club IOCL to the inter-petroleum and KSHA National Hockey League titles last month.<br /><br />“Most of the boys are playing in their first major tournament and I’m hoping that will spur them to give their best. We had a one-week camp at the KSHA stadium and the squad is really piecing together pretty well. <br /><br />“With this being the first Nationals for most of the boys, the tournament will serve as a good learning experience for them.<br /><br />“The stakes may not be that high but the tournament will help them gain visibility. A good showing here may land them a chance in this year’s World Series Hockey or a chance to try out with the top clubs. I’m confident they will give their best and we should be in the reckoning for the title,” added Parmeswaran.<br /><br />Apart from leading the side, WSH player Deepak Bijawad will also be marshalling the hosts’ defence and will be aiming to strike it rich with his drag-flicks. Young Md Naeemuddin and Biju Yirkal will be carrying the bulk of the workload in the striking department.<br /><br />Meanwhile, champions Mumbai and Jharkhand arrived on Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are scheduled to check in on Wednesday while Manipur are expected arrive on Thursday.<br /><br />Karnataka squad: Goalkeepers: SG Sambran, Mahan Gowda. Defenders: Deepak Bijawad (captain), KB Ponnanna, AD Cariappa. Midfielders: Rathan Muthanna, Vinayaka Bijawad, Nagasrinu Y, Naveen Kumar M, Teja Babu S. Forwards: Umesh KR, Rajesh NS, Biju Yirkal, Md Naeemuddin, Chengappa PS, Honnur Swamy N, Bonny Marshal D, Kusha JP.</p>
