Bhubaneswar, July 15: Women hockey players have made the state proud with their skilful performance at the recently concluded sixth Junior Women’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament by being an integral part of the silver winning Indian squad.
The four Odia players of the Indian team returned from Bangkok on Thursday to a rousing welcome in Rourkela.
The Odia girls who shone on the turf in the tournament, which concluded on July 7, included Deep Grace Ekka from Sports Authority of India Sundergarh Sports Hostel, along with Anupa Barla, Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz from the Panposh Sports Hostel. The girls were excited to have been a part of the team that has also qualified for the Junior Women’s World Cup next year.
“Last year, we were a part of the U-18 Girls’ Asia Cup Hockey Championship, but we could only manage a bronze medal. Also, in the last edition of the Junior Women Asia Cup in 2008, the India team had secured a bronze. We are delighted that this year we have not only reached the finals, but also qualified for the Junior Women’s World Cup,” said Anupa Barla.
The girls credit their performance to their respective institutions and the coaches there.
“Under the state sports department, the Panposh hockey turf is one of the best in the country and we get very good grooming here. The most important element of our development as hockey players is the fact that we play tournaments quite often here,” said Namita Toppo.
The Indian team, for which the four Odia girls played every match, started its journey of victory after winning emphatically over Sri Lanka 16-0 followed by a 6-0 win over Singapore. Though the team defeated Malaysia 2-1 in the league stage, it had lost against China. The girls played a tough match against Japan, winning 2-1. However, they missed the gold after China won of 5-2.
Coaches and mentors of the Odia hockey players in the sports hostels here are content with the girls’ performance.
“They are very hard working and have earned their place in the national team because of sheer talent. We are sure about their bright future. At present, we will focus on grooming them for the World Cup next year,” said Amulyananda Bihari, the women’s coach at the Panposh hostel. “The only worrying thing is that once they get jobs outside the state, they may not get a chance to represent Odisha. I wish corporate companies and government bodies in the state recruit them in future so they can continue to play for our state,” Bihari said.