PTI
Ranchi, Jun 5: India centre-half Birendra Lakra on Wednesday sought help from all quarters, including the corporate sector, to help revive hockey's past glory.
Urging the media to highlight the National game and help it bring back the lost glory, the 23-year-old member of the silver medal winning Indian side at the last month's Azlan Shah tournament in Malaysia, said that the game would rise only when a player witnesses a lucrative career opportunity in it.
He also lauded Jharkhand women player's contribution to the National game. “Both men and women from Jharkhand have sent several players to National side, with the number of girls being more,” said Lakra who is the brother of former India player Bimal Lakra and National women's team member Asanta Lakra.
“No other state has given so many women players as Jharkhand has done...If the players get proper infrastructure and motivation, then Jharkhand will continue to supply quality players in both the men's and women's section,” he added.
He also expressed disappointment over the fact that only his family members were present at the airport to receive him last month after he returned from Malayasia with the silver medal.
“I thought there would be some people at the airport to welcome me, but I felt sad when I found none. This will only discourage the players,” rued Lakra.