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Indian hockey skipper Salima Tete opened up about the dedication of the team after they missed out their Paris Olympics 2024 qualification. The side is set to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy at Rajgir where the side will aim to earn the top spot. The side will enter under new coach Harendra Singh and will aim to let go of their past and start their LA 2028 campaign on a fresh note.
The midfielder has played over 100 international matches and has been a part of the senior team regularly for the last five years. She opened up ahead of the tournament and told ESPN,"I never used to talk much. I didn't have a voice. I used to talk but only when it's needed. Sir gave me the feedback that I have to talk. I have to use my voice if I want to lead the team.” She added, "He told me that I play really well but he wanted me to talk and have a voice of a leader and that's how the team will also take me as an example. He told me to show my leadership qualities.”
It was our mistake that we didn’t work on fitness: Salima Tete
Opening up on the Paris Olympics 2024 disqualification, Tete said, “Yes, of course, we were disappointed but we can’t think about the past and need to move forward. We should move on because if we don’t move on, we can never win a match. It was very difficult for everyone, not just for me but for everyone in the team. But we have worked on it.”
The youngster opened up on playing under new coach Harendra Singh and said, “We had to start from the beginning. We had to start from the scratch. And fitness was an area that Harendra sir had pointed out and which needs a lot of work. It was our mistake that we didn’t work on fitness. But since sir came, we have worked a lot on our fitness. In today’s level, if you don’t have fitness, you can’t play hockey because it is a fast sport and you need fitness.”
