Bhubaneswar: Young talent Sunelita Toppo has been selected in the Indian women’s hockey squad for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 18 to October 2.
Sunelita was also a member of the Indian team that won the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir two years ago.
Jharkhand’s Salima Tete will lead the 20-member Indian squad as captain. The squad features a balanced mix of experience and youth. Senior goalkeeper Savita Punia will once again don the gloves along with Bichu Devi Kharibam.
The defensive line includes Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, and Shilpi Dabas. In midfield, players like Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, skipper Salima Tete, Neha, and Deepika Soreng will shoulder the responsibility.
The forward line comprises Lalremsiami Hmarzote, Rutuja Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, and Beauty Dungdung.
The Indian team will be aiming for a strong performance at the Asian Games to secure a medal in the prestigious continental event.
It is pertinent to mention that Sundergarh, the hockey hotbed in Odisha, has produced the player Sunelita Toppo. She made her debut for the Indian women’s team on February 3 against China in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24.
Sunelita was attracted towards the sport after watching the women from her village play hockey at a festival. She first started playing with bamboo sticks, but it wasn’t long before she made her mark in the 2022 National Games in Gujarat.
Following this, she was selected for the junior team. As the team claimed its maiden title in the junior Asia Cup in 2023, Sunelita was called up to train with the senior team.
