Bhubaneswar: Five women players from Odisha have been included in the 18-member Indian women’s squad for the Hockey World League (HWL).
Hockey India (HI) on Wednesday included Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Anupa Barla from Odisha in the team to play the HWL Semi Final scheduled to be held between July 8 and 23 in Johannesburg.
Deep Grace Ekka and Sunita Lakra will play as defenders of the team while Anupa Barla will be part of the forward line up.
Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz will be the Midfielders.
India are in Pool B along with strong opponents Argentina, South Africa, Chile and the United States.
Germany, England, Ireland, Japan and Poland are in Pool A.
The Indian team, which will be led by striker Rani Rampal, will begin their campaign against South Africa on July 8.
Indian Squad:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Rajani Etimarpu
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra, Gurjit Kaur, P. Sushila Chanu (Vice Captain), Monika
Midfielders: Renuka Yadav, Nikki Pradhan, Namita Toppo, Navjot Kaur, Ritu Rani, Lilima Minz
Forwards: Reena Khokhar, Rani Rampal (Captain), Vandana Katariya, Anupa Barla, Preeti Dubey