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The Indian men’s hockey team forwards SV Sunil and Lalit Upadhyay are overjoyed with the fact that they are retained by their respective franchises for the upcoming edition of the Hockey India League(HIL). The two forwards are looking to make most out of this opportunity to showcase their talents and skills to impress the selectors in order to solidify their selection for the next years Rio Olympics.
I feel comfortable that I continue representing them: SV Sunil
The charismatic Indian forward Sunil played for the Jaypee Punjab Warriors in the last three season’s of the HIL and is one of the 6 players who have been retained by the franchise for the next two seasons.
He said, “Hockey India League is a very important tournament for each of us. I am very happy with my retention in Jaypee Punjab Warriors for the next two seasons. Having played within this team consecutively for the last three years, I feel comfortable that I continue representing them,” as Hockey India reports.
The 26-year old forward is confident of the new players in the team, especially by the addition of the Indian men’s team skipper Sardar Singh who was bought in the recently concluded auction for a mere price of USD 58,000.
He added, “While I know the weak points and strengths of the rest of the team members retained I am even confident of the new members joining the franchise. Since I was not a part of the last tournament due to my injury, I would certainly aim to raise my fitness level and try not to worsen my injuries before the League. I am looking forward to play with Sardar Singh in the team and he will add the much required boost to the attack.”
We will surely work hard to score more and more goals through field effort: Lalit Upadhyay
Similarly, Lalit Upadhyay was also retained by the Bhubneshwar-based franchise Kalinga Lancers in order to not to alter the forward line combination in the new season. He said, “I would take the present practice session also as a learning experience for the upcoming Hockey India League.”
The 21-year forward is excited by the new rules introduced for the upcoming season of the HIL and by the prospect of finally a forward could be awarded the tournament’s highest goal scorer.
He added, “Also, with the introduction of the new regulation of one field goal to be counted as two, we will surely work hard to score more and more goals through field effort which will help us to go further in the League. The new regulation also opens the option of forwards being in contention of the top goal scorers during Hockey India League and which has got all of us excited and motivated.”
The Hockey India League will commence from early January next year. It will have its inaugural match in Bhubaneswar and the Finale will be played in Ranchi.
