Bengaluru: Indian women’s hockey midfielder Lilima Minz expressed that going for the Rourkela Panposh Sports Hostel trials has changed her life. After learning the techniques at the hostel and practising them for five-six years, she finally got selected for the junior national camp in 2011. As an experienced midfielder, Minz believes the team has the potential to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“When I was in school, the Rourkela Panposh Sports Hostel had held trials for hockey players. Those who knew about the trials, they went for it, but since I didn’t know about the trials, I was on my way out of my school. When I was leaving, the Coach who had come to conduct the trials called me and asked me to join the selection process,” she said.
“I took part in the trials and got selected to practice at the Rourkela Panposh Sports Hostel. After learning the techniques at the hostel and practising there for five-six years, I eventually made to the Junior National Camp in 2011. Therefore, going for the Rourkela Panposh Sports Hostel trials changed my life.”
Starting off her career as a forward and then later moving on to become a midfielder, Minz explained that she had the stamina to go up and down constantly. “When I had first started playing hockey, we played in a system where we had five Forwards in a team and I played as one of the wingers. Later our Coach decided to move me to the Midfield region because I had the stamina and endurance to go up and down constantly.
“It has been very interesting to be a midfielder because we support the forwards and defenders during matches. If we are attacking then we try to push the ball forward as much as possible and if our opponents have the momentum then we lend our support to the defenders accordingly,” said the 26-year-old.
Minz made her debut in 2013 and since then India have improved leaps and bounds. The team has competed terrifically against some of the top sides in the world. With over 150 international caps under her belt, Minz’s rich streak of experience will be a huge advantage for India at the Olympics next year. She herself expressed that the national team certainly has the potential to win a medal at the Olympics.
“We certainly have the talent to win a medal in Tokyo. Our team has seen a steady rise since I first joined the team in 2013. I think earlier, we lacked belief in ourselves, but now, we are ready to compete against any top side in the world. We have certainly worked hard for the success we have seen in the last couple of years, but a lot of credit for the good results should go to Hockey India.
“They have provided all the necessary equipment, brought in the best Coaches and trainers and ensured that we have all the facilities at the Sports Authority of India campus in Bengaluru, where we spend most of our time. In the end, it’s us players who have to go out and do the job, but the support from Hockey India has been fantastic,” said the midfielder.
