GS Prasad, CEO, Rourkela Steel Plant met with Anand lakra, internationally acclaimed junior hockey player in his office felicitated to lakra and interacted with him regarding his achievements and future plans. It is noteworthy that lakra is a cadet of the SAIl Hockey Academy, Rourkela. The CEO also praised lakra for his outstanding achievements and dedicated efforts and wished him all success in future. Anand a resident of Sikajore in Sundargarh district was inducted into the SAIl Hockey Academy in June 2012. He has proven his merit at various national and international tournaments since then. Anand represented Junior India Hockey team in Sultan Johar Cup held in Malaysia in October 2014. The Indian team emerged as the champions of the tournament.
Earlier, he represented the Odisha team which won the sub-Junior national hockey championship held at Rohtak in November 2012. He also represented the Odisha team at the Junior National Hockey Championships in 2013 and 2014. Anand has been selected to play for Ranchi Rhinos team in Hockey India league-2015 to be held in January 2015.It is worth mentioning here that the SAIl Hockey Academy has been producing players of International repute over the years. The academy has nurtured players like Birendra lakra, who scored a goal in the finals of the Hockey match at Incheon Asian Games that helped India win the Gold after 16 years. With players like Anand lakra, the academy is sure to boost the future of hockey in India in the years to come.