After defending champions Indian Airlines pulled out of the tournament yesterday, Bombay, runner-up in the previous edition, have been placed in Pool B. The other teams in this pool are Tamil Nadu, IHF Juniors and Services.

Twenty-six players attended the two-week camp at Bombay Hockey Association's Mahindra Stadium here and were joined by coach Reginald Pereira on Monday. A final 16 will be submitted to the Indian Hockey Federation after reaching Chennai which will render two players as spectators.

Speaking on his maiden venture as Bombay coach, Pereira, a former Mahindras player, said he is confident of making the semi-finals. Though unaware of the other teams in the group, Pereira said the team has practiced in such a way that players can play in more than one position which gives the team added flexibility.

Olympians Varkey and RaviNayakar along with internationals Sandeep Somesh, Mukhtiar Singh and M K Prakash provide the team vital experience, Pereira said. Prakash will take the penalty corner flicks, as allowed by the new rules, while Nayakar will play as a withdrawn left-in.

Only those in the camp were considered for selection by the seven-member committee lead by BHA president Dilbagh Singh Bakshi, eliminating those representing the Bombay team that lost to Air-India in the Junior Nationals today.

The IHF is fielding a senior and a junior team which means that some Bombay boys are likely to find a place in the junior squad. The senior team's participation will be treated as part of its preparation for the 2000 Olympics.

Groups

Pool A: IHF XI, Hyderabad, Air-India, Karnataka.

Pool B:

Bombay, Tamil Nadu, IHF Juniors XI, Services.

Team

Goalkeepers: Brian D'Souza (Tata), Sudhir K Singh (Rizvi Sports); Defenders: Ajay Kumar, M K Prakash (both BPCL), Callistus D'Souza (Western Railway).Half-line: Allan Barla (Western Railway), Sahyne D'Costa (MbPT), Sandeep Somesh (BPCL), Chander Pal (Western Railway). Forwards: B N Madan (Rizvi), Claes Fereira (Tata), Sabu Varkey (captain), Ravi Nayakar, Deepak Sharma (all BPCL), Mukhtiar Singh, Santha Kumar (both WR), Salauddin Siddique (MbPT), Sunil Pereira (Central Railway Mumbai Division).

Coach: Reginald Pereira (Mahindras). Manager: Leo Dharmai (Central Bank).

Reserves: Jahangir Shaikh (MbPT), Ravi Passi (CRMD), Anand Sodkar (WR), Abhijit Shirsat (MbPT).