Will give my 100%, says Lalit after selection in WC squad

Lucknow: Securing his berth in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup-2023, forward Lalit Kumar Upadhyay on Friday became the second player from Uttar Pradesh to play the world cup for the third time. Before him, Ashok Dhyanchand had played the world cup four times in the ’70s.Midfielder Raj Kumar Pal from UP was also selected as an alternate player in the squad for the world cup which will begin in Odisha on January 13 next year.“I am lucky that I have got a chance to play my third world cup in the senior category. I have played in the 2014 and 2018 hockey world cup,” Lalit said. “I sustained injuries during the national games and remained in bed for six weeks. Sometimes I would lose the hope of getting included in the world cup squad but my physiotherapist and coaches helped me a lot. I spent more time in the gym and my physiotherapist helped me build strength,” he said. “I will give my 100% in the world cup,” he added.“I have been selected as an alternate player and hope to give my best in the world cup. My performances in previous matches have helped me identify the areas where I need to improve,” said Raj Kumar Pal.Congratulating Lalit Upadhyay, former hockey Olympian Ashok Dhyanchand said, “I have played the world cup four times. We won a bronze in 1971, a silver in 1973, and gold in 1975 against Pakistan where I had scored the second field goal to defeat our opponent 2-1. It was a historic moment for us. I again played in 1978. I hope that this time we will repeat the feat.”Recalling the world cup in Pakistan in 1990 where India lost, former world cup player Sujeet Kumar said, “The relations between India and Pakistan were tense at that time. Anti-India slogans were shouted when we reached Pakistan. The atmosphere was not conducive and we could not win the world cup. I am sure we will win this time.”