Bhubaneswar: Odia Hockey star Sunita Lakra who led the national women team to runner's up position in the recently concluded Asian Champions Trophy, on Sunday, said that the team's prime target is to work on the weaknesses for better performance in upcoming World Cup and Asian Games.
Speaking to OTV in her first interview after the Champions trophy, Lakra said "We are concentrating on serious practice in our run-up to the tour of Spain so that we get ready for two big upcoming events World Cup and Asian Games,"
Lakra said she felt proud to have led the team to top in the Champions trophy despite losing out in the end and further urged the people to cheer for the Men's Indian team during the upcoming World Cup to be played at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in November this year.
Other players who have been a regular in the first team in recent weeks are also eager for the World Cup and Asian Games as they continue their preparations with full swing.
“We are working hard at the Bangalore camp as it gives a platform for preparation during the upcoming tour of Spain since after that we have two other tournaments to care for, Deepgrace Ekka said.
Similarly, Lilima Minz who will also share the midfield with another Odisha player Namita Toppo said that it is a matter of joy to play alongside four other Odia players.
As many as five players from Odisha- Deep Grace Ekka, Lilima Minz, Sunita Lakra, Anupa Barla and Namita Toppo have been selected in the national women’s hockey team for the Spain Tour starting from June 12 as part of its build-up for the Women's World Cup event which is scheduled to take place between July 21 and August 5 in London.
It is pertinent to note here that Indian women team missed out in the last two editions of the World Cup.