Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 1: Hockey India on Wednesday announced a 22-member Indian Junior Men's (Under-21) team for the exposure tour of Belgium, scheduled to be held from July 5 to 18, as part of preparations for the FIH Hockey Men's Junior Asia Cup later this year.

The tour will mark the first assignment for the junior side under newly appointed head coach Frederic Soyez.

Defender Anmol Ekka has been named captain of the squad. The goalkeeping department comprises Vivek Lakra and Kunal Tewatia.

The defensive unit includes Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey and V. Manimaran.

India will begin the tour with two matches against Austria on July 7 and 8. The team will then face hosts Belgium on July 10, Germany on July 13, Belgium once again on July 14, before concluding the tour against the Netherlands on July 17.

The exposure tour is expected to provide valuable international experience to the young Indian squad ahead of the Junior Asia Cup, a key qualifying event for future international competitions.