With the Hockey India League 2026 just around the corner, Kalinga Lancers have commenced their pre-season training camp. Indian players reported at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday.
First Day of Camp
The initial day of the camp featured a strategy meeting led by the team’s Technical & Strategy Coach, Pascal Kina, as the franchise began laying the groundwork for the new season.
Players in Attendance
The Indian players currently participating in the camp include:
- Captain: Sanjay
- Goalkeeper: Krishan B Pathak
- Defenders: Partap Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Sunil P B
- Midfielders: Rabichandra Moirangthem, Rosan Kujur, Dilpreet Singh, Amit Kumar Toppo
- Forwards: Angab Bir Singh, Deepak Pradhan, Gursahibjit Singh, Boby Singh Dhami
Coach’s Background and Impressions
Pascal Kina, who brings over 15 years of international hockey experience joining Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, has previously worked across Europe and with teams in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, China, and Korea. Notably, the Hero HIL will mark his first tournament in India.
Reflecting on his experiences, Kina expressed, “This is my first time in India and I am really happy to be here. I’ve been involved in international hockey for many years, but India was one place I had never been to until now. I’m proud to represent Vedanta Kalinga Lancers and it has already been an exciting start.”
Training Focus
Discussing the early training phase, Kina emphasized, “This period is important for fitness work, testing, and getting to know the players. I didn’t know these guys before, so making that first connection and building cohesion within the group is very important for me.”
Confidence in the Squad
With limited time to set up the team, Kina shared his confidence: “These are a good set of players and I am confident about this season. On the 28th, we already have a practice match scheduled. Most of the overseas players are coming from their national team camps, so they will be match-ready, which makes it ideal, and I believe we’ll have enough time to prepare well for the league.”
Ambitions for the Season
Outlining his approach, Kina stated, “My philosophy has always been to take the tournament game by game and aim to go as high as possible. Every team wants to win the championship, and it’s no different for us. Together with the rest of the coaching group, our objective is to push this team to compete at the highest level and go as far as we can.”
Upcoming Matches
The foreign players, along with head coach Jay Stacy, are expected to join the squad after Christmas as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers ramp up preparations for the upcoming Hero HIL 2026 season. Their first match will be against Ranchi Royals on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in Chennai.