THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JULY 9, 2026
The Odisha Naval Tata
Hockey High Performance Centre (ONTHHPC) has achieved another significant
milestone with seven of its cadets earning selection in the Junior Indian Men's
Hockey Squad for the Belgium Tour, being held from July 5 to 18, 2026.
Leading the
contingent is Anmol Ekka, who has been entrusted with the captaincy of the
Indian junior side. Joining him in the national squad are fellow ONTHHPC cadets
Vivek Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Adrohit Ekka, Sanjit Tirkey, Aryan Xess, and Mukesh
Toppo. The players have already departed for Belgium to join the Indian team
for the overseas assignment.
The remarkable
selection of seven players from a single High Performance Centre highlights
ONTHHPC's growing stature as one of India's premier hockey talent nurseries.
Established through a partnership between the Government of Odisha, Tata Steel
and Tata Trusts, the Centre has consistently produced elite players by
combining world-class coaching, scientific training methods and a high-performance
environment that prepares young athletes for the highest level of competition.
The Belgium Tour is expected to provide the Junior Indian Men's team with valuable international exposure against strong European opponents while serving as a crucial preparatory campaign ahead of upcoming global competitions. The inclusion of seven ONTHHPC cadets further underlines the Centre's consistent contribution to strengthening India's hockey talent pipeline.
Congratulating the selected players, ONTHHPC extended its best wishes to captain Anmol Ekka and his teammates—Vivek Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Adrohit Ekka, Sanjit Tirkey, Aryan Xess and Mukesh Toppo—for a successful tour, expressing confidence that they will seize the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to India's campaign on the international stage.
