Sunday, July 6, 2025

Born 9 November 1999, in Beldihi village, Sundargarh district, Odisha—an area renowned for producing hockey talent. His family are farmers, and both his father and older sister Preeti played hockey, with Preeti representing Odisha at the national level (orisports.com). He began playing hockey barefoot around age 9, inspired by his family's passion and village culture (hockeyindia.org).


🛡️ Pratap Lakra: From Village Fields to National Glory

🌱 Humble Beginnings in Odisha

  • In 2011, he joined Panposh Sports Hostel, coached by Bijay Kumar Lakra, where he trained under the guidance of stalwarts like Dilip Tirkey and Lazarus Barla (hockeyindia.org).

🏆 Climbing the Ranks: Juniors to Senior Nationals

  • Became a key player in Odisha's Hockey Gangpur team, earning medals in Junior National Championships including a bronze (2018) and silver (2016) (orisports.com).

  • Internationally represented India U‑21, winning silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup (2017, 2019) and participating in the 8 Nations Invitational in Spain (2019) (orisports.com).

🧗 A Comeback Story Amidst the Pandemic

  • Post-2020, he lost his junior camp spot and struggled with fitness during COVID lockdowns. He persevered, training solo at Railway grounds despite uncertainty about his future (hockeyindia.org).

  • Secured a job with South Central Railway in 2018 under sports quota, offering both stability and continued opportunities to compete (hockeyindia.org).

🥈 Shining at Senior Nationals & National Camp Call-Up

  • In 2025, he represented Madhya Pradesh in the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship, helping the team secure silver—his standout performance earned him selection to the Senior National Camp, among just two new call-ups (hockeyindia.org).

  • He credits this success to his discipline, defensive solidity, drag-flick skills, and relentless attitude under pressure (hockeyindia.org).

🎯 Playing Style & Inspirations

  • A stalwart defender and drag-flick specialist, he draws inspiration from Indian hockey veterans:

  • Competed with the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League 2024–25 and starred for Indian Railways, scoring a hat-trick in the 2023 Murugappa Gold Cup final (thehindu.com).

🌟 Goals, Vision & Future

  • Now training at the Senior National Camp, his immediate goal is to enhance fitness, refine skills, and secure a permanent spot in the Indian team (sakshipost.com).

  • His long-term dream? To win Olympic gold for India, fueled by ongoing family support—especially from sister Preeti, who reminds him that camp selection is just the start (devdiscourse.com).

🧭 Why His Journey Matters

  • Represents the resilience of athletes from rural India, overcoming early financial constraints and pandemic setbacks.

  • Highlights the importance of supportive structures—sports hostels, railway employment, and state initiatives—in nurturing sporting talent (devdiscourse.com).

  • Demonstrates how mentorship and adaptation (studying veterans, evolving play) can propel a young player to national prominence.

📝 In Summary

Pratap Lakra’s journey is a testament to determination, versatility, and national aspiration—from fields of Beldihi to the threshold of international hockey. As he continues to sharpen his craft in the National Camp, his story is an inspiration for many young defenders and drag-flickers across India.

Interested in a Tamil version, a highlight reel, or an infographic summary? I’d be glad to create it!


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