25-Jul-2008 89
The uncermonious ouster from the Olympic hockey qualifier has finally given way to new hope after a few agonising months. The tribal boys of Sundargarh district lived up to their their promise of a fightback by helping India win the Junior Asia Cup at Hyderabad recently.
While drag-flick specialist Dibakar Ram grabbed all credit for the win, it was the five unsung youngsters of Sundargarh who ensured that the mid-field and defence remain invincible.
The strong back-up of mid-fileder Amardeep Ekka, forward Roshan Minz and defender Innocent Kullu of Panposh Sports Hostel (PSH) here besides defender Manjeet Kullu and mid-fileder Belsajor Horo of SAI Hostel, Sundargarh was key to wipe out the ignominy of their elders to some extent.
On his return home to Rourkela, Amardeep was accorded a warm welcome by the inmates of PSH. While Innocent and Roshan remained out of the states for their job assignments, the other two were welcomed at Sundargarh town.
Amardeep who was unlucky to miss the final for severe ear infection said the Indian team played as a well-knit unit and every member played with passion for victory. As he was on medicines, coach A K Bansal made him to sit out in order to avoid doping controversy.
India finished with an all-win record in the Junior Asia Cup, defeating Japan 2-0, Malayasia 3-1, Singapore 6-0, Pakistan 3-1 and Korea 3-2. According to Amardeep, matches against Pakistan and Korea were really tough.
The trio``s coach at PSH, Kalu Charan Choudhary felt happy for the boys and observed that all three of them were exceptional. But he felt sorry for promising defender Sameer Baxla, was selected in the senior team for the Azlan Shah tournament, but ignored for the Junior Asia Cup.
