Bengaluru
Amandeep Lakra, the talented defender, expresses his elation at being selected to represent India at the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in Malaysia. The tournament kicks off on December 5, with India facing Korea in their Pool C game at 1530 hrs IST. Reflecting on his journey as a young player, Amandeep shares his inspiration from Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, a legendary former India Captain and one of the country’s greatest defenders. He recalls meeting Tirkey, who emphasized the importance of hard work and focus, leaving a lasting impact on Amandeep’s approach to the sport. Impressed by the drag-flicking skills of current India Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Amandeep highlights the learning opportunities he gains from observing Singh’s on-field focus and style during training in SAI Bengaluru. Amandeep faced challenges in finding training facilities early in his career, resorting to practicing on grass with his father. The turning point came when he joined the SAI Centre in Bhopal as part of the Khelo India scheme in 2020. His performance in the National Camp earned him a spot in the Junior Men’s National Camp. Amandeep’s journey includes notable achievements, such as winning a Gold medal at the 2022 Sultan of Johor Cup and contributing to India’s historic Gold medal at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup earlier this year. Inspired by the senior team’s Bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he aspires to achieve similar milestones, fueled by his father’s encouragement and the belief that hard work is the key to success.
