s2h team
Bhubaneswar: It could have been a perfect debut match in every sense- a 16-year old donning senior India’s jersey within a year of making her junior debut; playing in front of the home crowd in her own state at the prestigious FIH Hockey Pro League and taking her family’s legacy forward. Except China had other plans.
Sunelita Toppo of Sundrgarh made her senior international debut today against China. She is just 16!
The reigning Asian Games champion China edged out India 2-1 in their inaugural match at the FIH Pro League 2024 in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. Sunelita Toppo, the young midfielder and the niece of India player Anupa Barla, fell just short of a proper celebration.
“Our performance was fine. We lost out on the scoring opportunities,” Sunelita said when stick2hockey enquired about her emotions.
Losing out on scoring has been India’s consistent worry, which even cost it the Paris Olympics berth at the qualifiers held in Ranchi last month. Had the team qualified, the Pro League could have been a good preparatory ground ahead of Paris 2024. With not much to lose, the tournament can serve as a ground for Sunelita to prove their mettle in the senior team.
Coming from Kukuda village in hockey hotbed of Sundergarh district in Odisha, needless to say, hockey ran in her blood. But what has made her stand out is her outstanding run in the juniors last year, where she was noticed and received a call for the senior camp and was made part of the pro league team.
“It boils down to hard work. I would say this is the result of my efforts for so many years. I grew up playing hockey and my aunt Anupa is my inspiration. My family has also supported me in my dream of pursuing sports and never once told me that I couldn’t play,” said Sunelita, who has two younger brothers, who are focussed on studies than hockey.
In the Pro League matches in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India is pitted against USA, China, Netherlands and Australia – all of who have qualified for the Paris Olympics. India is scheduled to play the Dutch next, who are the tournament favourites. But Sunelita doesn’t want to think about the pressure on the team.
Jr World Cup Bronze Medallist Anupa is aunt of Sunelita Toppo
“They will do what they have to. The important factor is how we play and the better today’s game. Our focus will be on our improvement,” she said.
After the Bhubaneswar leg, the India team will be travelling to Rourkela and Sunelita hopes to see her family there. “I hope they will watch my match in Rourkela. It is a moment of pride for me and my family.”