Having been promoted from the junior ranks to the senior core group, young defender Suman Devi Thoudam wants to seize the opportunity and learn all about playing under the pressure of her counterparts who have just returned from a historic outing at the Tokyo Olympics.
“I was here at Sai’s junior camp when the Olympics were going on and we were all glued to the TV during the Olympics. Every match for India was exciting. Even though India didn’t start well, I think they still played very well against Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain. They are much more experienced than our team and yet we were strong against them but lost,” Suman Devi said.
Suman, who led the Indian team during their successful tour of Argentina earlier this year, said, “Seeing the Indian team and how they came back in the tournament after beating Ireland, South Africa and Australia in the quarter-finals, really inspired us a lot. Got it.”
From Singjamei Monkhanglaambi in Imphal, Manipur, Suman has been a regular feature in the Indian camp and also played alongside his senior compatriot in the 2018 tour of Spain. Suman will now struggle to prove her mettle in the senior camp and do regular searches. place in senior team
“It’s not going to be easy because the core group is very strong and I really have to prove myself every season and every opportunity counts.”
He further added that his focus will now be on honing his skills in the camp. “I am not thinking too much about cementing my place in the senior team. Right now my focus is to learn as much as possible from the senior players who have had this wonderful experience of playing in back-to-back Olympics.
“He has a lot to share, especially about playing under pressure and how one should not give up till the last whistle. I also really wanted to train under Janke Shopman. She is a great player herself and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be coached by her.”
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