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| Devindar Walmiki retained by Kaling Lancers |
Co-owned by MCI and IDCO, Kalinga Lancers will be looking to
infuse some experience in the side during September’s player auctions as they
have decided to retain only five players (three domestic and two foreign) for
next two editions of Hockey India League. Kalinga Lancers finished fifth in the
last edition of the tournament.
Kalinga Lancers with their young and
inexperienced players
started last season brilliantly beating champions Ranchi Rays 6-3 in the
opening match of the tournament but lost their momentum as the tournament
progressed.
Among the players retained for the next two seasons are
young Indian strikers Lalit Upadhyay and Devindar Walmiki have shown great
promise in the last edition of the tournament creating some good goal scoring
chances for the team. Kalinga Lancers also retained young penalty corner expert
Gurjinder Singh.
Interestingly, Kalinga Lancers have only retained two foreign
players, both Australian forward Aran Zalewski who was heart of most of Kalinga’s
attack and goalkeeper Andrew Charter who made some fine saves in the
tournament. Surprisingly Gonzlao Peillat who was team’s top scorer was not
retained for the upcoming seasons of Hockey India League.
Ms. Rina Mohaptara, spokesperson
of Kalinga Lancers was happy to announce the names of retained player’s saying-
We did not have chance to participate in the first auction of Hockey India League.
However, the young Kalinga Lancers players showed high-class talent and stunned
everyone in the hockey fraternity. They played extremely well and we managed to
beat top teams in the league. This is the reason we have retained core group of
players, such as Lalit Upadhyay, Devindar Walmiki and Gurjinder Singh who are
now the poster boys of the team and hockey fans in Odisha love their game. The
Australian duo of Aran Zalewski and Andrew Charter are also great assets for
the team and their experience will help us upcoming season.
Lalit Upadhyay who was retained by
Kalinga Lancers said- It is a great feeling that the team management has trust
in my abilities (to retain me as core player) and their decision has boosed my
morale and also given me confidence to play better in next edition of Hockey
India League. Having, Devindar, Gurjinder, Aran and Andrew in the team is also
a good feeling as I enjoy playing with them. They are great team players and
their experience will surely help the team to achieve more
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