Salima Tete Excluded from Indian Women's Hockey Team's Argentina Tour Due to Illness

Salima Tete's Health Issues Prevent Travel

The captain of the Indian women's hockey team, Salima Tete, will not accompany her teammates on their upcoming four-match tour to Argentina. Initially suffering from chickenpox, Salima has now been diagnosed with a viral infection, prompting her to remain behind. Hockey India had recently announced her as the captain of the 24-member squad in a press release.

With Salima unable to join the team, coach Sjoerd Marijne will have only 23 players available for rotation during this tour, which is intended as preparation for the 2026 FIH World Cup and the Asian Games scheduled for later this year.

The Indian team is set to compete against the World No. 2 women's hockey team from April 13 to 17.

Notably, Salima did not participate in the National Camp in Bangalore prior to the tour, returning to Jharkhand due to her illness. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to a local media outlet that she would not be part of the traveling squad.

The source stated, "Yes, she is not travelling. We have been informed that she is too weak to travel, and it is wise for her to stay back and recuperate."

In her absence, Navneet Kaur is expected to assume the captaincy, as she was appointed as Salima's deputy by the selection committee.

It has come to light that Hockey India only notified the Sports Authority of India (SAI) about Salima's condition on March 30, 2024, ten days after her selection for the Argentina tour.

Another insider clarified that although Salima was initially cleared to travel, her subsequent viral infection rendered her unfit for the journey. "She was declared fit. We were aware of her chickenpox, but she was cleared. However, the viral infection has left her unable to travel," the source explained.