Sat Mar 01 02:36:37 UTC 2025: **Indian Women’s Hockey Team Credits Goalkeeping Camp for Improved Pro League Performance**
**Bhubaneswar, India – March 1, 2025** – A week-long goalkeeping camp led by 1990 World Cup champion Simon Zijp has been credited for the improved performance of the Indian women’s national hockey team during the recent FIH Pro League home leg. The camp, which focused on technical skills, game awareness, and mental conditioning, involved goalkeepers Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam, and Bansari Solanki.
Zijp, a highly experienced coach with a gold medal-winning record at the Olympics, helped the Indian players refine their positioning, footwork, stick control, and ability to read opponents’ movements. Savita Punia, the Indian team’s veteran goalkeeper, highlighted the camp’s impact on the team’s mental resilience, particularly crucial during the demanding schedule of eight matches in ten days. This enhanced mental strength was vital in high-pressure situations, including penalty shootouts.
The intensive training paid off, with India winning three of their eight Pro League matches, including a dramatic shootout victory against the reigning champions, the Netherlands. Although they ultimately finished the home leg with nine points from eight matches, placing them sixth in the overall standings, the team’s improved performance is largely attributed to the specialized goalkeeping camp. Coach Harendra Singh expressed gratitude to Zijp and hopes for a continued collaboration.
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