SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Oct 5: Amidst the best-ever performance of the Indian squad in the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, all eyes are on three women hockey players of Jharkhand- Nikki Pradhan, Salima Tete and Sangita Kumari- playing the semifinal today against the host China.
A total of six players of Jharkhand are representing India, including three in women’s hockey, two Ankita Bhagat and Bhajan Kaur in archery and Florence Barla in athletics, and all have made their presence felt in the best-ever performance of the country so far.
Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) general secretary Madhukant Pathak, who is also the president of Jharkhand Athletics Association (JAA) while praising the performance of the state’s players in the ongoing Asian Games, said that despite their small number in the overall Indian squad our players have stolen the limelight in teams’ display.
Jharkhand State Hockey Association vice-president Manoj Konbegi expressed hope that the women’s hockey team will not only win the semifinal against China today but also bring the gold medal by winning the final. “Of course, Jharkhand players will excel in the team,” he said.
Nikki Pradhan is from Khunti while Salima Tete and Sangita Kumari belong to Simdega.
Both archers Ankita Bhagat and Bhajan Kaur are from the Jamshedpur Academy while the lone athlete of Jharkhand, Florence Barla (selected in the 4×400 relay squad), belongs to Ranchi.
