Five hockey players from Odisha selected for Men’s National Coaching Camp

Bhubaneswar: As many as five hockey players from Odisha have secured berth in the 34-member core probables list for Indian Men’s National Coaching Camp scheduled to be held at the Bengaluru Campus of the Sports Authority of India from July 8.

Defenders Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Nilam Sanjeep Xess mid-fielder Ashish Kumar Topno and Shilanand Lakra are the Odisha players named in the 34 core probable list.

The players will report to Chief Coach Graham Reid for the six-week Camp that concludes on  August 11 following which the Indian team will travel to Japan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Test Event to be played between India, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand starting August 17.

“We will review our previous performance at the FIH Men’s Series Final Bhubaneswar and discuss among ourselves the shortcomings and how we can collectively improve our performance in the lead up to the Olympic Qualification in November. The next three-four months will be crucial and everything we do will be aimed at raising the bar in all aspects of the game,” expressed Chief Coach Graham Reid.                                                                                                                 

He further expressed that he will be watching closely the progress of every player and no one must take their place in the team for granted.

“The support staff and I will be closely monitoring the progress of every player during this National Camp so in that sense each session is going to be important and we would expect nothing but 100 per cent from every player. The current pool of players assures of healthy competition and I am looking forward to the next six weeks,” Reid added.