‘Bagha’ is mascot of Kalinga Lancers, as Prabodh takes over the captaincy

Experienced player Prabodh Tirkey was named captain of Odisha-based team Kalinga Lancers while Kiel Brown of Australia will be the second captain.

“It will be a very special moment for me to captain the first match in the newly constructed hockey stadium in my state”.

He hasted to add: “Yes, there will be a bit of pressure too, but am used to it and will do all I can to satisfy our city crowd, and faithful followers all over India” said Tirkey under whose captaincy India won the Asia Cup in Chennai.

Kalinga Lancers will be facing Punjab Warriors in their first match on Tuesday, the 28th Jan. That is the only match for Day five of the Hero Hockey India League.

Elaborating on the preparation for the all important event of his long illustrious career, he said, “We are training and picking up threads under three good coaches. Our Chief Coach Terry Walsh is giving a new style to our game. Also, AK Bansal is with us, who had guided the Delhi Waveriders team to the finals in HIL last year. Inputs from Lajrus Barla, with whom most of us played one time or other, is also helping us.”

Tirkey further added that being a new team, they are at an advantage as no other teams are aware of their style of play.

Meanwhile, the team today, launched its mascot and unveiled its official jersey at Bhubaneswar. The mascot ‘Bagha’ is a young white tiger which stands for the symbol of bravery, sharpness and strength.

“We hope to live up to the message our mascot symbolises, and attack like tigers in every match,” he added.

The players also walked the ramp sporting their new jerseys. “It was fun walking the ramp with our official anthem playing in the background. This is the second time walked the ramp, first was at a felicitation ceremony in Hyderabad,” said Tirkey.