By Utkarsh Rathour
New Delhi [India], December 23 (ANI): Arthur Van Doren is one in all fashionable hockey’s most embellished defenders. The Belgium hockey participant is a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist and 2023 World Cup champion.
Arthur has additionally gained silver medals on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2023 World Cup. Currently main Belgium within the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League, Van Doren has earned 276 worldwide caps since making his senior debut in 2012.
Ahead of the Hockey India League (HIL) event, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers on Saturday introduced the appointment of India’s Sanjay and Belgium stalwart Arthur as co-captains of the staff. The HIL 2026 will probably be held from January 3 to January 26 2026, throughout Chennai, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar.
Speaking to ANI, Arthur opened up about how he feels to be again in India for this particular franchise event. The star defender stated he loves taking part in hockey in India and desires to do higher than final yr.
‘Yeah, very good clearly. I all the time love taking part in hockey in India. I believe all people does. I believe it is fairly incomparable in direction of totally different nations, and that is clearly one of many largest compliments. I believe that is additional particular,’ Arthur stated.
‘The Hockey India League is thrilling, and I believe it is excellent for our sport. I’m loving the truth that we’re again for a second season, and I’d like to do higher than final yr, after all, with the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers,’ he added.
Asked about Vedanta Kalinga Lancers’ legacy, the two-time FIH Player of the Year stated, ‘You clearly see that the imaginative and prescient is to develop, to have success, to do effectively. I believe Vedanta coming in created clear goal-setting and made positive every little thing was in place so the gamers might focus solely on hockey, which is usually the nicest half. We struggled final yr to succeed in the playoffs. The staff is hungrier than ever to do effectively this yr.’
Arthur additionally commented on the environment on the Kalinga Stadium that influences his efficiency. The star defender added that the Kalinga Stadium holds a particular place in his coronary heart as his nation (Belgium) turned world champions in 2018.
‘It’s troublesome to check. I believe the standard, and particularly the amount, of the followers in India and on the Kalinga Stadium is sort of spectacular. So, we love taking part in there once more. For me, it is additional particular as a result of it is the stadium the place we turned world champions in 2018. So it has that additional hyperlink. ‘ll be delighted to be there once more and to be taking part in in entrance of these followers,’ he stated.
When Arthur was requested in regards to the present crop of Indian hockey gamers, he highlighted India successful two consecutive medals within the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
‘I believe the HIL gamers have executed extraordinarily effectively over a lot of years. I believe one of many largest compliments is that they’ve medalled in two consecutive Olympics. I believe it solely reveals that the standard of gamers is steady and the HIL on the whole is coming again, I believe it is solely helpful for the youthful Indian gamers.’
‘It will assist them with their preparation and growth. But the identical might be stated in regards to the foreigners coming. I believe it additionally helps us turn out to be extra well-rounded gamers. It pulls you out of your consolation zone with a number of travelling, a number of adapting in numerous groups, environments, and I believe it is solely helpful for you as a participant and an individual.’ (ANI)