Four Odia Girls In Hockey Squad For Gold Coast Games

Four Odia Girls In Hockey Squad For Gold Coast Games

New Delhi: Four players from Odisha – Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz, have been selected in the 18-member women’s hockey squad for upcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, scheduled to begin on April 4.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the players in a tweet.

“Congratulations to our hockey stars Lilima Minz, Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo and Deep Grace Ekka on being selected in #TeamIndia for @GC2018 XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia. My best wishes to them. Make Odisha proud!” his tweet read.

Forward Rani will lead the team and will be assisted by goalkeeper captain Savita, who will make a comeback after being rested for South Korean tour.

While Deepika, Sunita Lakra, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur and Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam will defend for India, Monika, Namita Toppo, Nikki Pradhan, Neha Goyal and Lilima Minz will take care of the mid-field.

Rani, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Navjot Kaur, Navneet Kaur and Poonam Rani will brace up Indian attacks.

The Indian team is grouped in Pool A along with Malaysia, Wales, England and South Africa. India will begin its campaign on April 5 against Wales.