Odisha mid-fielder in national hockey squad for European tour

Odisha Sun Times Sports Bureau
New Delhi, Apr 4:

Mid-fielder Birendra Lakra from Odisha has been included in the 21-member national hockey squad for the European tour.

The team was announced by Hockey India here today.

The national team would play five build-up games in The Hague, Netherlands from April 9 to 19.

This tour is in preparations for the FIH Men’s World Cup 2014, scheduled at The Hague, Netherlands from May 31 to June 14.

Hockey India Selectors BP Govinda, Syed Ali and Dr RP Singh along with Roelant Oltmans, director High Performance and Terry Walsh, chief coach of the men’s team, selected the players on the basis of selection trials conducted at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on March 20 and 21.

The team would be led by midfielder Sardar Singh with defender Rupinder Pal Singh as vice-captain.

The camp of the senior men’s team is currently underway at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi which started from March 9 and will continue till its departure on April 9.

The squad will depart for The Netherlands on 9 April 2014 to play five build-up games including two against The Netherlands, one against Belgium and two games against Dutch National Club teams.