Hockey India has roped in Dutch legend Taeke Taekema to work with the nationwide girls’s hockey workforce’s dragflickers on as-needed foundation until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India head coach Harendra Singh had recognized drag-flicking to be a key space of enchancment within the upcoming months.
Taekema had carried out a seven-day camp from February 10 to 16 forward of India’s FIH Professional League marketing campaign in Bhubaneswar final month. The seven-day camp was attended by the likes of Deepika, Manisha Chauhan, Sonam, and Annu, together with a number of junior gamers.
“Taeke is among the best legends in dragflicking, and I requested Hockey India to convey him in to assist us enhance on this space,” Harendra mentioned. “He has been working with the workforce on refining approach and making certain a smoother dragflicking course of. Dragflicking is a extremely specialised talent, and Taeke will proceed to work with us in future camps as nicely.”
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Harendra mentioned Taekema, who scored 170 targets in 94 appearances for the Netherlands males’s workforce over greater than a decade as per information obtainable, will proceed to work with the senior and junior groups as required. “Our focus is to develop Deepika and Manisha into world-class dragflickers. Taeke’s involvement will proceed till the 2028 LA Olympics, and he’ll present steerage to each the senior workforce and junior gamers as and when wanted. In trendy hockey, dragflicking and goalkeeping are essential, so we’re dedicated to getting ready our gamers to compete on the highest stage globally.”
Deepika, who has been recognized by Harendra as the first drag flicker on this Olympic cycle, had a great outing within the Professional League lately. “We’ve seen particular progress with Deepika, significantly through the current Professional League matches. Nevertheless, profitable penalty nook conversions depend on three key parts: the injector, stopper, and dragflicker. Sadly, we confronted some challenges with the injection and stopping throughout some matches, which affected our conversion charge. That mentioned, Deepika’s tactical strategy is bettering with every recreation.”
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