Ahead of the 9th edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup taking place in South Africa (1-12 April), we’re conducting a series of exclusive interviews with the participating teams. Today: Akshata Abaso Dhekale (IND).
Akshata, how do you look at the fact that you will be playing a World Cup?
I’m so excited to play the Women’s Junior World Cup. This is my first time. We are doing very hard work for the World Cup. As a team, we are so excited! At the field everyone is doing their job as well as they could and our coaches are also taking a lot of efforts on us.
How will you prepare in these last days preceding the start of the World Cup?
Actually, for the last 5-6 months, we’ve been continuously doing practice on the field. We made some strategies. We are working on our press, on our defense. We are also practicing Penalty Corner attack-defense.
India clinched a Bronze medal in their last participation in this competition in 2013. Will you be looking at achieving at least a similar result, and even better?
Definitely! We want to do better. Winning the Bronze medal in 2013 was a great achievement which has inspired us a lot. Some of these players are also with us [at the training camp]. We talk with them and they share their experience. That experience will help us a lot. We’re looking to give our best and finish on the podium.
What are your expectations as a team?
I don’t want to that pressure as expectations. But we believe in each other, we know our jobs and we are doing well. We will do our best.
How important is it for your development as an international player to participate in a Junior World Cup?
I’m focusing on myself. As a defender, my role is to defend very well, calm defending, giving good passes, coaching, organizing all these things that we’re going to do.
Will it be your first time in South Africa?
Yes, it will. I’m really excited to visit that beautiful country and we’re really excited to play there!
