Bhubaneswar: A number of hockey players from the state have reserved their berths in upcoming international tournaments.
Defenders Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas have been selected in the 18-member Indian men's team taking part in Champions Trophy beginning on June 23 in Breda, The Netherlands.
Hockey India announced the 18-member squad for the prestigious event that would be a comeback for Lakra, who was not part of the Commonwealth Games squad.
Also, five players from Odisha - Deep Grace Ekka, Lilima Minz, Sunita Lakra, Anupa Barla and Namita Toppo - have been selected in the national women's hockey team for the Spain tour starting from June 12.
Hockey India recently announced the 20-member Indian women's team for the tour.
Deep Grace Ekka and Sunita Lakra will be the defenders and Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz will play in the midfield. Anupa Barla will be a forward.
The Indian team will play five matches against Spain as an exposure tour ahead of the much-important Hockey Women's World Cup in London in July.
"The tournament will be a chance to fine-tune our skills and great practice before the world cup. We will give our best," said Ekka.
Earlier, seven women players from Odisha were placed in the list of the 48 players for the Senior Women's National Hockey Camp from among which they were selected for the Spain tour.
In the men's group too, six Odia players - Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Dipsan Tirkey, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anand Lakra and Amon Mirash Tirkey - were included in the 48-player list for a 21-day national camp ahead of the Netherlands tour.
In another feat, Odisha's Bibhu Kalyan Nayak has been appointed as the FIH (International Hockey Federation) medical officer for the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup, 2018, to be held from November 28 to December 16 at Kalinga Stadium here.
Nayak said: "It has always been my dream to become a sportsperson but I could never pursue it because of family issues. But, being a part of the World Cup as a medical officer is another great way of living my dream," he said.
Dr Nayak is now with the Sports Injury Centre, Safdarjung Hospital, as specialist on deputation (sports medicine).
