Forward Shilanand Lakra is aware of his mistakes in the game and wants to break into the Olympics in 2021

Shilanand Lakra first played for the adult team in 2018 at the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. The young man was born in Sundargarh district of Odisha, one of the most developed areas in the hockey field. 

Unfortunately, the young Incas for two years of their game in the men’s hockey team could not go through many competitions and matches. But Lakra found advantages in this long break associated with the pandemic, and actively engaged in analyzing his own game to achieve better results in the future. He has already taken the first steps towards self-improvement. The important thing was that he talked with the coaching staff, in particular with coach Graham Reid. Graham Reid suggested where exactly Shilanand Lakra has weaknesses. Therefore, Shilanand will be more active in the first place to pay attention to the recommendations of the coach.

One of the methods of development of Shilanand Lakra in the game is the constant observation of senior players who have a lot of experience in hockey. During the break due to the pandemic, he had the opportunity to think through all past mistakes, understand how he wants to build a future career, and what he wants from playing hockey in general. Therefore, now he probably knows that having adopted the experience of the older generation, he will be able to move to a new level of the game.

Young player admires Dilip Tirkey and Birendra Lakra.

“I am incredibly glad that I can adopt this huge experience from them. They have come a long way in Indian hockey, but are still the best players. Rarely can there be cases when players represent the country at international championships for so long, and at the highest level. I dream of a hockey career like theirs. This is a great joy for any athlete,”

said Shilanand Lakra

In 2019, Shilanand Lakra scored five goals in 6 matches, which helped his team win a silver medal. Thanks to this, he was recognized as the leading scorer at the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2019. However, Lakra does not get tired of training and says that there are players in the coaching camp who he looks at with respect and who he will follow to get the necessary skills. Now his goal is the Olympic Games. However, he understands that to get on them, and you need to be one of the best, if not the best.