The Odisha government might be boasting of developing sports infrastructure and giving sportspersons the necessary incentives and exposure, but it is not reflecting in various international tournaments.
The performances of Odisha sportspersons on the biggest stage of the sports-Olympics are very poor. In the history of the mega event, only two hockey players from Odisha representing India have managed to bag bronze medals.
Hockey stars Birendra Lakra and Amit Rohidas had created history when they became the first two players from the State to win Olympic medals. They were part of the Indian men’s hockey team that pipped Germany 5-4 in the bronze medal match of Tokyo Olympics 2020 as the country won its first Olympics hockey medal after a gap of 41 years.
Rohidas was the most dependable man of the team in pool matches as well as the knockout stage. He rushed out to defuse the opponent’s penalty corner attempt with the ball travelling 200km per hour.
Born in Saunamara village, Amit is the only non-tribal from Odisha to represent the country at the international level. It is the same village where former Indian defender and captain Dilip Tirkey was born. The place is considered the nursery of hockey in Odisha. Like most children in Saunamara, he started with a bamboo stick, as there was hardly any access to proper hockey sticks in the village. Then he joined Panposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela in 2004 and started out as a forward. However, as per the advice of his coach Bijay Lakra, he switched to defence as Lakra thought Rohidas had a good physique and capacity.
Rohidas got his first major breakthrough in 2009 when he bagged the Indian cap for the Under-18 Asia Cup held in Myanmar. In the 2016-17 edition of the Indian Hockey League (IHL), he played for Kalinga Lancers. Rohidas showed his skill as a defender against penalty shootouts. Over time, he was considered the successor of former India skipper Dilip Tirkey, popular for his defending skills.
Meanwhile, veteran Lakra has announced his retirement from hockey. The 33-year-old veteran has played more than 200 international matches for India. He made his Olympics debut in 2012 London Olympic Games. However, he missed Rio Olympics unfortunately due to a major knee surgery in 2016. A superb defender, Lakra excelled in the 2018 Champions Trophy. During the Argentina tour, Lakra stood like a rock with his brilliant defensive work at crucial junctures. The defender helped India register an emphatic 3-0 victory against the 2016 Rio Olympics champions.