Odisha’s Hockey Olympian Namita Toppo Presents Player-Of-Match Award

Rourkela: Olympian Namita Toppo had the honour of presenting the Player of the Match award at the end of the Spain versus Wales World Cup Hockey 2023 fixture here on Sunday.

Namita, who played 168 matches for India in an international career spanning 10 years, retired last September.

The 27-year-old Namita, from India’s cradle of hockey Sundargarh district, was called to give away the best player award to Spain’s Mac Miralles after his team beat Wales 5-1 in a Pool D fixture at Birsa Munda International Stadium.

Miralles scored a brace – from a penalty corner in 32nd minute and field goal in 56th minute. Marc Reyne also netted 2, both field goals, while Alvaro Iglesias scored a field goal.

Spain had lost their first match 0-2 to India two days ago, while World Cup debutants Wales went down 0-5 to England.

India are taking on England in a crucial Pool D encounter. The group toppers will advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the second and third-placed teams will feature in crossover ties, which are virtual pre-quarterfinals.