Bhubaneswar: Odisha will have a strong presence in the Indian teams for the upcoming Junior Asia Cup hockey tournaments.
Five girls from the state — Madhuri Kindo (goalkeeper), Anjali Barwa (defender), Jyoti Chhatri & Sujata Kujur (midfielders), and Sunelita Toppo (forward) — have been selected in the 18-member national squad for the Women’s meet to be held at Japan’s Kakamigahara from June 2-11.
In the pool stage, India will face Korea, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan.
As for Men’s Junior Asia Cup, Hockey India named three boys from Odisha in the 18-strong squad.
They are — They are Amandeep Lakra (defender), Sunit Lakra (midfielder) and Sudeep Chirmako (forward).
The Junior Men’s Asia Cup will be played in Salalah (Oman) from May 23 to June 1. India have been clubbed in pool A with Pakistan, Japan, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.