New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): Indian girls’s hockey staff’s skilled defender Deep Grace Ekka achieved a particular milestone of finishing 250 International Caps on Saturday when she took the sector for the second match of the continuing India’s tour of Australia in Adelaide.
The veteran defender of the Indian girls’s hockey staff achieved this milestone throughout India’s second match in opposition to Australia.
The 28-year-old, who hails from Lulkidihi village in Sundargarh district, made her International debut in 2011 throughout the Four-Nation Tournament in Argentina and since then, she has been an integral a part of the nationwide staff.
From the SAI-SAG Centre in Odisha, Deep Grace Ekka doubles up as a defender and penalty nook specialist. She was a part of the Indian staff that took half within the Rio Olympic Games — Indian eves first look since 1980 and the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She was additionally an integral a part of the staff that received the Bronze Medal on the Women’s Asia Cup in 2013, Gold on the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, Gold within the Asia Cup in 2017, Silver on the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, Silver in 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang and the Bronze in Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The defender additionally performed a key position in India’s Gold Medal win on the inaugural FIH Women’s Nations Cup in Spain in 2022.
“I feel extremely proud to have represented the nation for 250 International matches. For me, it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to bring joy and honour for my country by doing something that I truly love. I still get goosebumps whenever I step on the field to play for my country. The journey so far with the Indian team has been wonderful to say the least. Special thanks to Hockey India and Odisha State Government for always showing faith in me and supporting me in every way possible. I hope that we as a team reach greater heights and continue to make our nation proud,” said Arjuna Award winner Deep Grace Ekka, who has been nothing lower than an inspiration for a number of younger gamers from her state.
Meanwhile, congratulating Grace, as her teammates fondly name her, President Hockey India Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey stated in an official assertion launched by Hockey India, “I would like to congratulate Deep Grace Ekka on completing 250 International Caps for India. She is a player who not only brings stability to India’s defence but also plays an important role of a penalty corner specialist. Her contribution during the 12 years since making her debut has been immense and has seen her win many medals. I would like to wish Ekka the very best for the future and hope that she continues her pursuit of bringing laurels to the country.” (ANI)