Bhubaneswar: The 2017 edition Hockey India League Champion Kalinga Lancers team with new franchise owner Vedanta back to Kalinga Stadium after a gap of nine years to play against SG Pipers here at Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.
In this HIL season Vedanta Kalinga Lancers maintained its unbeaten run and placed in the top with 11 points by registering four wins in their four leagues round matches. The highly motivated Lancers team is eyeing to retain their winning streak Infront of the home spectators. In their last match registered a 1-0 win against Hyderabad Toofans at Ranchi.
Lancers captain Arthur is confident enough that “his teammates will perform their best at Bhubaneswar to make the home audience happy. The city has a great love for hockey and we are going to attract a large number of spectators cheering for us tomorrow. He also added HIL is the perfect platform for the young Indian hockey players to prove their ability and the professional attitude”.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said “all most after nine years the Kalinga Lancers are back to Kalinga Stadium from where they started their HIL journey in the year 2014 and emerged champion in the year 2017. The Indian young players will gather maximum experience and exposure from HIL. What may be the weather the Odisha spectators always stand for hockey. I am hopeful as like other years the Bhubaneswar people will come and support the hockey sports”.
The last edition of Men’s Hockey India Leque was held at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela and Ranchi from 28th December 2024 to 1st February 2025 and Rarh Bengal Tigers emerged champion while Kalinga Lancers finished 6th with 12 points.
