Perseverance is truly the key to success for the junior wing of Hockey Jharkhand since many of the players of this cadre after a long gap have been selected in the probables squad of Team India for junior men and women.
Sharing the information, Hockey Jharkhand General Secretary Savitry Purty at a press conference on Thursday said, “After two years, a dozen of our junior female players are in the Junior Women Core Probables squad for Indian Team. Earlier, the strength used to vary around three or four.”
The list of 12 girls include Rajni Soren, Kranti Pradhan, Pyari Topno, Sonal Minz, Ranjita Minz, Ebha Kerketta, Subashi Hembrom, Sushila lakra, Rukmani Dodray, Nikki Pradhan, Anima Minz and Punam Barla.
Training camp for Women Hockey Team will commence at NIS Bhopal from May 26. Interestingly, goalkeeper Bigan Soy, who brought laurel to the state with India team’s historic bronze winning against England at the Hockey Junior World Cup last year in Germany, is listed for the Senior Women Core probables of India team camp along with Ashunta lakra.
Besides, the state hockey association has marked an achievement in the junior boy’s category as well. Hockey Jharkhand Treasurer Suresh Kumar said, “Three junior male hockey players namely Abhay Ekka, Nitesh Kiro and Pankaj Kumar are selected in the Junior Men Probables team of India.”
As of now, the state is set to host the 4th Sub Junior Men National Championship (A division) from May 17 to 25 at Morhabadi AstroTurf Stadium. 16 state teams will be contesting.Purty who is also a selector of Hockey India is eager to identify more boys from this region for the upcoming national camps during this meet.