CHENNAI, August 1: The World Cup bound Indian Juniors hockey team will be exposed to a tour of Poland from August 24 to 31 as part of their preparations.

At a press briefing on Friday, KPS Gill, president, Indian Hockey Federation, said the Indian junior team for the world championship will be announced after their return from the Junior Challenge Open in Poznan (Poland). India are placed in Group A, along with Italy, France and the host nation. Group B comprise of Germany, Egypt, Belgium and Czech Republic.

A short tour of England for the Juniors before the World Cup scheduled to be held at Milton Keynes from Sept. 17 to 30 has also been planned, said Gill adding that the dates are likely to be from Aug. 12.

The final camp will be held at Bangalore, confirmed Gill.

An under-20 tour of Russia, as part of the cultural exchange tour was another important IHF decision, scheduled to come off from Aug. 18 to 25. An observer is also likely to accompany the team to monitor the progress, Gill clarified, adding that it is an all-expense borne trip by the host, the occasion being the 850th year of the founding of Moscow City. A camp is also being planned to held in Delhi, on completion of the tour.

After the tour, the Indians will figure in an exhibition encounter to mark the ``National Sports Day,'' the occasion to commemorate the birth anniversary of the hockey great, the late Dhyan Chand.

The much awaited decision of naming the coach for the senior team has been put off by a day, Gill said, accepting that Cedric D'Souza is one of the short-listed candidate.

The seniors will be playing in a four-nation tournament in Germany from Aug. 22 to 27, the list of the probables are to be announced on the morrow. Australia, The Netherlands and the host nation are the other teams.

The feasibility of sending the under-14, 16 and 17 teams abroad is also being worked out, said Gill.

India U-20 squad to tour Russia: Goalkeepers: BV Bopanna (Kar), Natarajan (TN); Full backs: Manpreet Singh (Rlys), Romeo Albuberque (Bombay), Rama Rao (Karnataka), Kishore (Bengal). Half backs: Paramjeet Singh (Services), Radhakrishnan (TN), Shane D'Costa (Bombay), Irshad Ali (Bhopal), Sri Ram (Railways); Forwards: Amar Aiyyamma (Kar), Gagan Ajit Singh (Air-India), Ajimer Pal Singh (Rlys), Nissar Garasia (Guj), Sameer Sangwan (Haryana), Cyprian Aind (Kar), Sukjwinder Singh Gabbar (Punjab), Vijay Krishna (AP), Arshad Khan (UP). Coach: Balwinder Singh (Railways).

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.