The Italian women’s hockey team was the first foreign team to reach Ranchi on Thursday to participate in the Women’s FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers next week.

While the host Indian team has already reached the Jharkhand capital on Wednesday evening, the teams from six other participating nations are expected to arrive soon for the event, to be held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Stadium from January 13 to 19.

“We are expecting other teams to arrive here within the next 2-3 days as per their convenience,” Hockey India secretary-general Bholanath Singh told The Telegraph.

This will be the second international event organised by Hockey India in Ranchi within three months after holding the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in October-November, 2023.

“We wanted to finish our preparations here so that we get used to the weather and the turf,” Italian captain Sara Puglisi said after landing at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda International Airport on Thursday morning, indicating that they came early to get acclimatised to Ranchi before trying to bag their maiden Olympic berth.

The Indian team that arrived the previous evening was also hopeful of doing well in Ranchi as they played here recently.

“We were overwhelmed by the support we got from the spectators here,” Indian captain Savita Punia said after their arrival, referring to their campaign for the Asian Champions Trophy three months ago.