With the countdown to the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 underway, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers have officially begun their pre-season preparations, assembling their Indian contingent at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The camp marks the first step in the franchise’s build-up towards the new season, with a renewed coaching setup and a clear focus on structure, fitness, and team cohesion.
The opening day of the camp was centred around a detailed strategy meeting led by Technical & Strategy Coach Pascal Kina, who is experiencing Indian hockey for the first time. With limited preparation time before the league gets underway, the Lancers have opted for a sharp, purpose-driven approach, ensuring that foundations are laid early before the arrival of overseas recruits and the full coaching staff.
Among the Indian players reporting to camp were captain Sanjay, experienced goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak, defenders Partap Lakra, Rohit Kullu and Sunil P B, midfielders Rabichandra Moirangthem, Rosan Kujur, Dilpreet Singh and Amit Kumar Toppo, and forwards Angab Bir Singh, Deepak Pradhan, Gursahibjit Singh and Boby Singh Dhami. The mix reflects a balance of leadership, international exposure, and domestic depth—an important element for a league where squad rotation and intensity often decide outcomes.
For Kina, the camp is not just about tactics or fitness metrics, but about understanding the players and building relationships quickly. With over 15 years of experience in international hockey across Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, China and Korea, the Belgian coach arrives with a diverse coaching résumé, though the Hero HIL will be his first assignment in India.
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“This is my first time in India and I am really happy to be here,” Kina said while reflecting on his early days with the Lancers. “I’ve been involved in international hockey for many years but India was one place I had never been to until now. I’m proud to represent Vedanta Kalinga Lancers and it has already been an exciting start.”
The initial phase of the camp has been deliberately structured around fitness assessments, testing, and tactical familiarisation. Kina emphasised the importance of early engagement with the Indian core, particularly given that he is working with many of the players for the first time.
“This period is important for fitness work, testing, and getting to know the players,” he explained. “I didn’t know these guys before, so making that first connection and building cohesion within the group is very important for me.”
With the league fast approaching, preparation windows are naturally compressed. However, Kina remains confident that the squad will be ready in time, especially with overseas players expected to arrive match-fit from their respective national team camps.
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“These are a good set of players and I am confident about this season,” he said. “On the 28th we already have a practice match scheduled. Most of the overseas players are coming from their national team camps, so they will be match-ready, which makes it ideal. I believe we’ll have enough time to prepare well for the league.”
The Lancers’ approach under the new coaching setup appears measured rather than hurried. Kina’s philosophy is rooted in consistency and incremental progress an outlook that aligns well with the demands of a high-intensity tournament like the HIL.
“My philosophy has always been to take the tournament game by game and aim to go as high as possible,” he said. “Every team wants to win the championship and it’s no different for us. Together with the rest of the coaching group, our objective is to push this team to compete at the highest level and go as far as we can.”
Head Coach Jay Stacy and the foreign players are set to join the squad after Christmas, at which point preparations will intensify both tactically and competitively. The Lancers will open their Hero HIL 2026 campaign against Ranchi Royals on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in Chennai a fixture that will offer an early test of how quickly the squad has come together.
Beyond the immediate season, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers continue to represent a broader commitment to sport in Odisha and across India. Owned by Vedanta Limited, the franchise is the company’s first venture into team ownership and reflects its wider investment in sports such as football, cricket, marathons, pickleball and archery. The Lancers’ presence in the HIL has also reinforced Bhubaneswar’s reputation as one of India’s most important hockey hubs.
As the Indian core settles into camp and the countdown to the season opener ticks on, the focus for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers is clear: build cohesion early, sharpen match readiness, and step into Hero HIL 2026 prepared to compete from the very first whistle.
