Tokyo Olympics: Birendra Lakra named as Vice-Captain Of Indian Men’s Hockey Team

Bhubaneswar (Reporters Today Bureau): Odisha’s Birendra Lakra has been appointed as Vice Captain of the 16-member Olympic-bound Indian Men’s Hockey Team.

Midfielder Manpreet Singh will be captain of the team at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Lakra,  a veteran defender who was also a part of London Olympic Games, had unfortunately missed Rio Olympics due to a major knee surgery in 2016.

Birendra said, “This will be a very special Olympic Games as we have prepared really well and are poised to win a medal in Tokyo. Being named as a Vice-Captain along with Harmanpreet Singh is a matter of pride for me and over these past years with India, we have seen players show great mental toughness during our preparations despite these trying times. We just hope to make the hard work and sacrifices count by winning big”.

Earlier yesterday, Hockey India confirmed  Odisha’s Deep Grace Ekkaa defender as the Vice-Captain of the Women’s Team.