BHUBANESWAR 15-Nov-2014 113
Kalinga Lancers, the Bhubaneswar-based franchise of Hockey India League, picked up four new players for the third edition of the tournament to be held at different venues in India from January 22 to February 22, 2015.
The new quartet include former India forward Roshan Minz of Odisha (Base price $ 12,000, Bid price $ 45,000), Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter (Base price $ 20,000, Bid price $ 21,000), defender Gurjinder Singh of Punjab (Base price $ 8,600, Bid price $ 65,000) and forward Pradhan Sommanna Pudiyokkada of ONGC (Base price $ 6,700, Bid price $ 21,000).
While other franchises picked 24 players each, Kalinga Lancers selected 23. While including four new players, Lancers dropped five from the side. The dropped five included Australian goalkeepe Tristan Clemons, captain and Odisha star Prabodh Tirkey, his statemate Manjeet Kullu and forward Gagandeep Singh and goalkeeper Harjot Singh.
The dropping of former India captain Prabodh Tirkey and Manjeet Kullu raised eyebrows in Odisha. According to Tirkey, the management of the Kalinga Lancers did not inform him about his axing. As a result he could not include himself in the bidding for other franchises.
Though, no official statement was released by Lancers management, uncofomed souces said Tirkey was not retained because of fitness issue. But Tirkey said he was fully fit and was playing for his employers Air India in the Mumbai Gold Cup Tournament. Lancers also replaced their Australian chief coach Terry Walsh with former India mid-fielder Jude Fellix.
In terms of giving Odisha players opportunity to compete in HIL, Ranchi Rays did better than Kalinga Lancers, included six against just three by the latter. The six Odisha players picked by the Ranchi franchise include coalkeeper Sushant Tirkey, defenders Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas, Anand Lakra and forwards Stanli Victor Minz and Amon Mirash Tirkey.
In the bidding all the six franchises including defending champions Delhi Waveriders, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Jaypee Punjab Warriors and new franchise owners Dabang Mumbai and Ranchi Rays, tried their best to get hold of players for their respective squad.
The Hero HIL Players Closed Bid 2014 saw some dramatic bidding for a total of 149 players amongst the six franchises which includes 95 domestic and 54 foreign players. It was Belgium striker Tom Boon who was the most fought amongst the franchise and was finally bagged by Dabang Mumbai at USD 103000 and a price which is the highest that any player in the Hero Hockey India League has been bought for when compared to the last two editions.
This was followed by Australian defender Matthew Swann being also picked by Dabang Mumbai for USD 78000 and closely followed by Uttar Pradesh Wizards picking up the most sought after goalkeeper PR Sreejesh for USD 69000 and Ranchi Rays going for Australian striker, Trent Mitton for USD 67000.
Speaking on the occasion, Rina Mohapatra, Deputy Resident Comissioner, Odisha representing Kalinga Lancers said, ``As Kalinga Lancers started from the 2nd edition of Hero Hockey India League, we had very little options of players of our choice. But the players in their first season itself played upto mark even if we were the new entrants to the League. In this years bid we were looking forward to strengthen our team further and finally we got the players of our choice. We are targeting this time to rise up in the ladder.’’
KALINGA LANCERS SQUAD:
Indian players:
Goalkeeper: Harjot Singh.
Defenders: Dipsan Tirkey, Gurjinder Singh (Base price $ 8,600, Bid price $ 65,000).
Mid-fielders: Mohammed Amir Khan, David Minz, Vickram Kanth, Devinder Sunil Walmiki, Vikas Sharma.
Forwards: Mandeep Antil, Mohammed Nizammudin, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Roshan Minz (Base price $ 12,000, Bid price $ 45,000), Pradhan Sommanna Pudiyokkada (Base price $ 6,700, Bid price $ 21,000).
Foreign players:
Goalkeeper: Andrew Charter (Australia, Base price $ 20,000, Bid price $ 21,000)
Defenders: Gonzalo Peillat (Argentina), Ramon Alegre (Spain), Aran Zalewski (Australia).
Midfielders: Ryan Archibald (New Zealand), Kiel Brown (Australia), Roca Oliva Isern (Spain), Glenn Simpson (Australia).
Forwards: Lucas Villa (Argentina), Russell Ford (Australia)
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PHOTO: Kalinga Lancers officials at the players’ bidding in Delhi on Nov 15, 2014.
