Bhubaneswar: After OTV first telecast reports about exclusion of Odia players from the ongoing national hockey camp in Bhubaneswar, International hockey player from the state, Amit Rohidas has been included.
Several international hockey players from the state had criticized the exclusion of Odia players in the national camp, from where the squad will be selected for the men's Hockey World Cup, which will be held in Bhubaneswar.
Although no official press release has been issued by Hockey India, players in the camp, Manpreet Singh and Rupinderpal Singh said that Rohidas has joined the camp today.
"Amit Rohidas has joined the camp and is practicing with us. Unfortunately, Birendra Lakra was injured so he is missing," said Manpreet.
Surprisingly, no players from Odisha had featured in the list of 25 players chosen by Hockey India for the month-long national camp. But after drawing criticism from former players, Rohidas was included in the camp.
Odisha is going to host the Hockey World Cup from November 28 to December 16. The state has also purchased the sponsorship rights for the national hockey team for the next five years.