Birendra Lakra (wearing a headband), member of the Indian gold-winning Asiad hockey team, celebrates a goal against China during a recent clash at the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea. (PTI)

Rourkela, Oct. 5: The atmosphere here is euphoric as four national men and women hockey players — who were part of the teams that won gold and bronze, respectively, at the just concluded Incheon Asian Games — are from the city.

In the men’s team, Birendra Lakra, the versatile player of SAIL Hockey Academy here, who according to former hockey player Michael Kindo and coach Peter Tirkey, can play in any position, again proved his mettle in the face of stiff competition. In the final against Pakistan, he scored the crucial goal in the newly formatted shoot-out system.

“I am proud of his achievement. He has shown his class in the Asian Games and the entire city and the district is proud of him”, said Abinash Khatua, a former state Ranji player about Birendra Lakra. “He is simply the best. If you have seen the matches, he was always at the right place doing the right thing,” said Kindo.

It has been raining accolades for the players from all quarters. Ananta Ray, the lone non-tribal captain of Odisha hockey team and a retired executive from Rourkela Steel Plant, said: “Birendra is a real diamond and you just cannot ignore his versatility which he has proved in the recently concluded games.”

Besides Birendra, three girls of the Panposh Hockey Academy, Lilima Minz, Namita Toppo and Sunita Lakhra are part of the bronze winning team, which defeated Japan by a solitary goal. Complimenting the achievement of the players, A.N. Bihari, coach of the hockey academy said: “It is an emotional moment for me. They came to the academy as kids. They are like my daughters and I have seen their love for the game.” Nilima Minz, a senior player at the Academy said: “They will get a grand welcome and we are waiting for the victors to arrive”. Another Odia girl, Deepgresh Ekka, who also featured in the Asian Games, belongs to the SAI Academy at Sundargarh.

Some have high hopes from them in future. “Now the national team can prepare for the Rio Olympics,” said Kindo.

Peter Tirkey, coach at SAIL Academy, said: “All the five players are jewels of the state and must be nurtured properly.” Birendra is expected to return to Rourkela today evening from Ranchi.