Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Olympic Bronze medalist Birendra Lakra announced his retirement from the Indian national team, informed Hockey India.
“A solid defender and one of the most influential Indian Men’s Hockey Team figures, the Odisha star has announced his retirement from the Indian national team. Happy Retirement, Birendra Lakra”, tweeted Hockey India.
After 201 caps and 11 years, I have decided to retire from the Indian Hockey team, said Larka, Lakra , who represented India in Men’s Hockey at Tokyo Olympics 2020, in his Facebook post.
“Over the past few weeks, I have introspected about my journey in hockey. Nothing has given me more joy and pride than to represent my country and wear the India jersey. Now, the time has come for me to move on and allow the next generation of players to experience this great feeling of playing for India. After 201 caps and 11 years, I have decided to retire from the Indian Hockey team. The thought of not being able to share the dressing room again with some of the most fantastic players is unimaginable at the moment but I wish my teammates the very best as they prepare to take Indian hockey to the next level with just three years left in this Olympic cycle”, the Odisha hockey player wrote.
“There have been many highs and lows in the years that I was with the Indian Men’s Hockey Team but there could be no better feeling than winning the Olympic Bronze medal. I feel the moment is right to move on from the national team and pursue a new path. The game has given me so much and I will always look for different ways to give back to the sport that has changed my life for the better”, he said.