Deep Grace Ekka from Odisha features in Women's Hockey squad for Tokyo Olympics

Bhubaneswar, June 17: Deep Grace Ekka from Odisha has made it to the 16 players who will represent India at Tokyo Olympic. The 16-member squad strikes the perfect balance between continuity from the Rio Olympics 2016, and adopting a fresh approach for Tokyo. Eight experienced veterans have been named in the squad, while eight new players have been handed the chance to make their Olympic debut for Team India. The final squad includes eight stalwarts in Rani, Savita, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Navjot Kaur and Vandana Katariya; who have had the experience of representing India at the historic appearance of the Indian women’s team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after a gap of 36 years. These eight players have amassed a mammoth total of 1,492 caps between them for Team India and will be tasked with leading the charge for Team India in their quest for Olympic glory. This will be the Indian Women's Hockey team's third appearance at the Olympic Games and their second consecutive outing, with previous appearances coming in 1980 and 2016. The Indian Women's Hockey team have seen a steady rise over the past few years, clinching Olympic qualification for a historic second consecutive occasion on the back of their consistent performances in qualifying events. Since Rio 2016, the team has experienced the highs of winning the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, 2017 Asia Cup, the Silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games and making it to the Quarter Finals of the 2018 Women’s World Cup for the first time in history. COMPLETE LIST OF SELECTED PLAYERS: GOALKEEPERS                                                                                                                                                                                   wp:list {"ordered":true,"type":"1"} SAVITA                                                                                         /wp:list DEFENDERS wp:list DEEP GRACE EKKA                                                                              NIKKI PRADHAN                                                                              GURJIT KAURUDITA  /wp:list MIDFIELDERS wp:list NISHA                                                                                                       NEHA                                                      SUSHILA CHANU PUKHRAMBAM      MONIKA NAVJOT KAURSALIMA TETE /wp:list FORWARDS wp:list {"ordered":true,"type":"1"} RANI                                                                                                         NAVNEET KAURLALREMSIAMI                                                                   VANDANA KATARIYASHARMILA DEVI /wp:list