Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi accumulates praise at Hoki Odia Birendra Lakra star, who recently announced his retirement from international hockey after playing 201 matches.
In the last letter to the Lakra, which was distributed by a hockey star on his Facebook page, the Prime Minister praised the Lakra as “an important part of the vital decade for Indian hockey.” “You start playing hockey when there is no Indian who can imagine our nation will win the Olympic medal in the near future.
Hockey is not considered the most glamorous sports.
However, everything changes so fast and credit for such a positive transformation goes to players like you, who are Maintain faith and work for regeneration of Indian hockey, “Modi said in his letter.
Stated that the generation of athletes who will come can study the “spirit of resilience” from the Lakra, the Prime Minister said though through pain due to the loss of the bus to the Rio Olympics in 2016 due to injury, the Lakra managed to overcome it and made it to Tokyo, thus becoming part of history written there.
The Prime Minister also praised the Sundargarh boy because he remained humble even though he scaled the heighted height and continued the Mulia Odisha tradition to produce extraordinary hockey players.
Apart from the Lakra’s decision to hang up, Modi said the Lakra would remain connected with hockey and push the upcoming harvest.
Looking for support to strengthen Amrit Mahotsav India, an initiative of the United States to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India, Prime Minister asked the Lakra to visit various schools as part of a campaign in August 2023 to spread awareness about eliminating malnutrition and encouraging sports.
Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister for his praise words, Lakra said he would visit the school as part of Amrit Mahotsav.
The 31-year-old player from Lachchada Village in Sundargarh Regency in the country announced his retirement on September 30.
Sail Hockey Academy Rourkela products, Lakra is part of the Tokyo Olympic force who won medals in India.
He was also part of the Indian Hockey squad for the London Olympics in 2012.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised the prime minister to reach the players thus developing a dynamic sports culture in the country.
Pradhan also called Lakra as “one of the most versatile players to represent India in hockey.”
PM Modi Hails Birendra Lakra; urgently to strengthen Amrit Mahotsav
