Odia Girl Sunita Lakra To Lead Women’s Team For Hockey Asian Champions Trophy

New Delhi: Adding laurels to the state, Odia girl Sunita Larkra has been named skipper of the Indian women’s hockey team which will play the Asian Champions Trophy from May 13 in Donghae City, Korea. She will lead 18-member contingent which also has four other Odia girls –Deep Grace Ekka, Lilima Minz, Namita Toppo and Anupa Barla.

The Indian women’s team recently played the semi-final in the Gold Coast Games for the first time in 12 years.

“We were very disappointed after losing the Semi Final in CWG by a close margin to hosts Australia. We knew it was our best chance to make the medal round. Against England too, we didn’t perform the way we had planned but we carry a lot of confidence and heart from these matches against tougher teams like England and Australia. While fitness and speed has been a major focus point in all our camps, we are also working hard in terms of goal conversion and improving our attack. While the team is of mostly experienced players, we also have talented youngsters who are eager to contribute to the team’s success and help us defend the title,” said Sunita Lakra.

Goalkeepers: Savita (VC), Swati

Defenders: Deepika, Sunita Lakra (C), Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Suman Devi Thoudam

Midfielders: Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Udita

Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Anupa Barla