Jaypee Punjab Warriors News

Jaypee Punjab Warriors today unveiled its team jersey and announced Jamie Dwyer as the Captain of the team at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. Jaypee Punjab Warriors team is part of the Hero Hockey India League, which is set to begin in New Delhi on the 14^th of January with the inaugural match set to be played between Delhi Wave Riders and Jaypee Punjab Warriors at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Franchise Jaypee Group representative Mr. Askari Zaidi, Senior Vice President Corporate communications, Jaypee Group, Barry Dancer, Head coach of the team, Jagbir Singh, Team Coach, and Zafar Iqbal, Team Advisor,  unveiled the jersey along with Marquee players Jamie Dwyer and S.V. Sunil.

Askari Zaidi, Sr. Vice President, Jaypee Group said, “With a healthy mix of Indian as well as foreign players, we are confident the team will do well in the tournament as the players complement each other’s strengths. Barry Dancer and his coaching team have put the team through rigorous practice sessions to make sure that they are on top of their game.”

Talking to the media at the conference, Barry Dancer, Team Head Coach said, “I am pleased to announce Jamie Dwyer as the Captain of the Jaypee Punjab Warriors and we are all very pleased to be a part of this first Hero Hockey India league. This competition is very important not just for India but for the world of hockey. We have enjoyed one good week of preparation and were very warmly welcomed and supported in Jalandhar, our home base. The Jaypee group have extended all possible facilities for the team that has helped us practice well for the competition. The team is very strong and well balanced with a good mix of International and Indian players”.

While talking about him being named the captain, Jamie Dwyer said, “It is an honor to captain this group of brilliant players, and we have used the available time to bond well together on and off the field. Given the different cultures in the group, we have tried to spend time together to know each other. On the field we have tried to keep the combinations right, so that we prepare as best as we can for the first game against Delhi Wave Riders.  There is mutual respect among all players for the value that each brings to the team. We want to keep improving throughout the tournament and I am sure we will do that more as we play and practice together.”

In reply to a question, S.V. Sunil, Striker of the Indian national hockey team said, “The Indian and foreign players have practiced together and have gelled very well which will definitely help our performance in the league. The Indian forwards have worked well in the paratise with Jamie Dwyer and that is an encouraging sign for the team.”

Team advisor Zafar Iqbal said, “As the advisor of the team, my role is to shape the side and Barry Dancer was the obvious choice to help us achieve that goal, given his experience as a coach. Jagbir Singh and Mohammad Riaz as coaches and Charles Gaudoin as trainer also lend invaluable experience to this side. I am sure that Jaypee Punjab Warriors has the potential to win the inaugural Hero Hockey India League.”

Jagbir Singh, Team coach, while talking about the team’s preparations for the upcoming matches, said, “We have had a lot of practice in Jalandhar in the past week and for the next couple of days, we will practice on the main pitch in Delhi where the inaugural match is to be played. These practice sessions have helped the Jaypee Punjab Warriors coordinate well between themselves, unite as a team, and with a good blend of young and experienced talent, we are very confident about winning the trophy”.

The Hockey India League is a first of its kind tournament in the country and will be held between the 14^th of January to the 10^th of February 2013.

Team Composition