Bhubaneswar: Bronze Medalist from Odisha Birendra Lakra has been selected to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup, informed State government’s Department of Sports and Youth Services.
Reportedly, the match has been scheduled to be held from May 23 2022 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
It is to be noted that Lakra will replace Rupinder Pal Singh as Captain of the 20-member squad. Rupinder has been ruled out of the tournament as he sustained an injury on his wrist during a training session, added reports.
The Odisha Sports team has congratulated Bikram Lakra on its official Twitter account and wrote “Olympic Bronze Medalist from Odisha Birendra Lakra to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup in Indonesia. Previously the vice-captain of the team, Birendra was promoted to captain after Rupinder Pal Singh was ruled out due to an injury. Congratulations 🎉”
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Birendra on being selected to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. “Congratulate #Odisha player Birendra Lakra on being selected to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup in Indonesia. Wish the team all the very best,” quoted the tweet.
Congratulate #Odisha player Birendra Lakra on being selected to lead the Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup in Indonesia. Wish the team all the very best. #OdishaForSports https://t.co/enSC6Wsu8c
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 14, 2022
It is pertinent to mention that Birendra Lakra joined as Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) in Odisha Police on February 17. He joined as DSP at Odisha State Police Headquarters in Cuttack in the presence of Director General of Police (DGP) Sunil Kumar Bansal and other senior police officers.
Birendra Lakra, who was born on February 3, 1990 in Lachchada village in the Sundergarh District of Odisha, has reportedly played 201 matches for the country.
He represented India in Men’s Hockey during the 2012 London Olympics. In Tokyo 2020, he has been selected as vice captain of the Indian team that won the historic bronze medal. This is the first medal of the Indian team after a gap of 41 years.
Ms Kalinga AI