Hockey names out, swimmers still in dark

Ranchi, Feb. 9: After high-voltage drama, state hockey teams (men and women) for the 34th National Games were announced late in the evening, along with teams of five more events, but not swimming.

It was an evening of cheers for Lakra siblings, as international player Bimal Lakra will lead the 18-member men’s hockey team, his sister Asunta, will captain the women’s team and brother Virendra will be in Bimal’s team.

Notable names include team India player Prabodh Tirkey from Orissa and Saba Anzum, Chanchal Devi and Helen Mary (goalkeeper).

Incidentally, Jharkhand women’s hockey team, ranked sixth among the top eight, plays the opening tie on February 13 at 4pm against Assam. The men’s team makes a National Games debut against Tamil Nadu at 6pm.

Savitry Purty, Hockey Jharkhand secretary, said teams were ready “as much as they could hope to be in such a short span”.

Teams for karate, kho-kho, squash, kabaddi and judo were also announced.

But JOA secretary-general S.M. Hashmi kept suspense alive on swimming.

“Teams will be announced tomorrow after consulting with Swimming Federation of India,” he said.

The state swimming association had not included outsiders such as Delhi’s Richa Mishra and Maharashtra’s Jyotsna Pansare on its list, secretary S. Tiwary said.

But the JOA is likely to add them.

Hashmi also directed all state sports associations to collect kits for players at the JOA office, Morabadi, from 10am.