Bhubaneswar, Dec 1: Indian hockey team defender and only Oriya player in the national squad Birendra Lakra Monday found support from teammates who urged the state government to support the ‘neglected’ player.
The players feel that the state has not done anything for Birendra, who was part of the team that won gold medal in the Asian Games recently and also silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2014.
“Lakra’s contribution towards the team is enormous and the state government should reciprocate him, so that many local players would feel motivated,” said the India goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu while the state sports and youth services minister Sudam Marndi visited the Kalinga Stadium to motivate the Indian team.
Sports and youth services secretary Saswat Mishra, however, said that Birendra would be felicitated during the Champions Trophy and would also be offered a job and cash reward in accordance with the new sports incentive policy introduced by the state government.
“Birendra Lakra would get Rs 50,000,00 under the new provision. We are also planning to offer him a job as a DSP in Orissa Police and felicitate him during the Chapions Trophy,” said state sports and youth services secretary Saswat Mishra.
When asked to comment on this announcement, Biredra, who has played in 87 matches for India, said: “I will be extremely happy if my State provides me a job. I will also try to give my best whole representing the state.”
Speaking about the India’s preparations, Birendra said they are working on new strategies which will help them perform well in the Champions Trophy starting December 6.
“Today, we worked on various variations and team combinations and we also implemented a few new strategies,” he said. “Our training session is going very good. We have adapted ourselves with the ground and the atmosphere here. The morning practice sessions are good for all us as we start the session with a fresh mind,” the defender added.
India will take on Olympic champions Germany December 6, followed by matches against Argentina (December 7) and The Netherlands (December 8) in.
