A record number of nine players from Odisha have been selected to represent the Indian Junior (U-21) Mens Hockey Team for an exposure tour of Belgium, scheduled from 5 to 18 July 2026. The 22-member Indian team, announced by Hockey India yesterday, will be led by Odisha defender Anoml Ekka.

Other eight players from Odisha are: Vivek Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, Adrohit Ekka, Mukesh Toppo, Ritik Lakra and Aryan Xess. The tour will be the first assignment for the Indian Junior Mens Team, under newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez.

The tour will also serve as a key preparatory phase ahead of the FIH Hockey Men`s Junior Asia Cup later this year. The young Indian side will play two matches each against Austria and Belgium, and one match each against Germany and the Netherlands.

Four members of the squad - Anmol Ekka, Adrohit Ekka, Ajeet Yadav and Rohit Kullu - were also part of the Indian team that secured the bronze medal at the FIH Mens Junior World Cup 2025, held in Tamil Nadu.

India will begin their campaign against Austria on 7 and 8 July. The team will then take on the hosts, Belgium on 10 July, Germany on 13 July, Belgium again on 14 July and conclude the tour against the Netherlands on 17 July.

INDIAN JUNIOR MENS HOCKEY TEAM: Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia. Defenders: Anmol Ekka (Captain), Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Prasant Barla, Sanjit Tirkey, V Manimaran. Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Mukesh Toppo, Mannu Malik, Ritik Lakra. Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Arjun Hargude, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh, Mohd Konain Dad, Gurusewak Singh.