Woman hockey player dropped from squad without reason

RANCHI - Woman hockey player Asuntha Lakra Saturday said she was dropped from the squad for the Asian Champions Trophy in Busan, South Korea at the last minute without any reason.

The Jharkhand player said she was to go with the team for the tournament beginning Tuesday.

Lakra said she was even given the air ticket.

“But just before the departure of the team to Busan I was told that another girl will go in my place. I was shocked to hear that. When I asked the team manager and other people, I was told to ask the national selectors. Preeti Kiro, who is also from Jharkhand, has been included in my place,” Lakra told reporters here Saturday.

Lakra has been a regular member of the national team for the past 10 year.

The issue has surfaced at a time when the Indian women’s hockey team is embroiled in a controversy. The chief coach of the team M.K. Kaushik resigned following allegations of sexual harassment by a player Ranjitha Devi, who produced a letter of support signed by 31 players of the national camp.

Lakra, who hails from Simdega district, is working in the railways here.