Former Indian hockey player Bimal Lakra in hospital after suffering head injury
The 45-year-old former India midfielder fell unconscious on Monday while working on his farmland in his village in Simdega subdivision. He was rushed to Simdega Hospital from where he was taken to Ranchi for further treatment.
'He is stable now. The sports minister of Jharkhand met him today and has assured of all possible help. We at Hockey India are wishing for his speedy recovery,' Hockey India secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh told PTI.
In an earlier post on social media, Singh wrote, 'Former international hockey player Bimal Lakra has been referred to Ranchi for better treatment after serious injury due to collapse. Hon'ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand Mr Hemant Soren has given instructions for all kinds of treatment and Hon'ble Sports Minister of Jharkhand has visited the hospital to meet Bimal Lakra to learn about his health.'
Lakra was also a member of Asia Cup gold-winning sides in 2003 and 2007 and his siblings Birendra Lakra Sr. and Asunta also donned India jerseys in the men's and women's categories respectively.
Former India player Viren Rasquinha had earlier posted on 'X' that his friend and former teammate was in hospital in 'serious condition'.
Very good update by Bholenath ji of @TheHockeyIndia and Govt. Of Jharkhand. Thankfully Bimal Lakra seems to be getting the best treatment and support 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/V9cQ54q1Vc — Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 1, 2025
'Hope the Govt. takes care of him now. He has no job at the moment,' wrote Rasquinha.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Julius Yego believes 90m throws can be on the cards at NC Classic 2025
Bengaluru: As the Neeraj Chopra Classic gears up its first-ever edition, scheduled for Saturday, the 2016 Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego of Kenya expressed disappointment following the withdrawal of top athletes, including Grenadian star Anderson Peters and backed the strong field to shine with 90m show. Two-time world champion Peters was ruled out of the World Athletics category A javelin event due to an ankle injury just a few days before the competition, with Poland's Cyprian Mrzyglod replacing him in the lineup. Peters' withdrawal came just a day after India's Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Jena was ruled out of the competition due to an ankle injury. His fellow Indian javelin thrower Yash Vir Singh replaced Jena in the final entry list for the comprtition. "It's a shame that Peters was not able to be here. He is a good friend of ours. We really wanted him to compete,' Yego told IANS. 'But then, you know, your health is very important, and I wish him a quick recovery so that he comes back stronger. We made this sport very interesting." Despite Peters' absence, Yego remains upbeat about the competition's quality. "Those of us here are very good athletes. Thomas Rohler has thrown 90m, Neeraj has thrown 90m. The others too have thrown 84m or 85m. They can be able even to do 90m. Who knows, they can even do it tomorrow," he said. Yego, who learned the fundamentals of javelin by watching YouTube videos and has been trailblazing javelin's rise in Africa, signed off by highlighting the larger purpose of the event which is to promote and popularise the javelin in India. 'It's all about enjoying the sport and making javelin more popular in India,' he said. As a World Athletics-sanctioned Gold level meet, the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 becomes India's first-ever international javelin competition. The event is officially sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Varun eyes senior team return through Europe tour with India 'A'
Bengaluru, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist defender Varun Kumar is eyeing a comeback to the Indian men's hockey team with some good performances with the India 'A' squad in the upcoming tour of Europe. Varun eyes senior team return through Europe tour with India 'A' Varun, a potent defender, failed to make the Paris Olympics squad, and has been out of the the senior side for over a year. He was last seen in India colours during the friendly match against Germany in New Delhi in June last year. The dragflicker has set his sights on next month's Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir to make his comeback, and is aware that a good outing in the Europe tour will help his case. "Certainly, my personal goal is to return to the senior team. But more important for me right now is to improve my game. Not having played a proper tour in over one-and-a-half years, it is a long time and the game is constantly changing. The structure has changed and it has also become much faster. The way I am looking at it, is to start fresh," said Varun. "Missing out on the Paris Olympics was painful. I know I was in the reckoning to make the squad but now, I have left the past behind and ready to start fresh with this opportunity to play for India 'A'," added the dragflicker, who was also part of India's junior World Cup-winning team in 2016. "Playing the European teams, who are preparing for the Euro Cup will be quite exciting and challenging. It will be a learning experience for me and I know a good show here will count, especially with the Asia Cup coming up in India." The India 'A' team led by Sanjay will play two matches each against Ireland, France, and the Netherlands along with a match each against England and Belgium starting July 8. The matches will be held in Eindhoven and Amstelveen in the Netherlands and the match against Belgium will be played in Antwerp. "Personally, for me, it has been a tough road back into the core probable group. Last 7-8 months I have worked a lot on my fitness and also mentally, it has been extremely challenging," Varun said. "Returning to form has not been easy but I am really grateful to my family, teammates and coaching staff who have stood with me in tough times and constantly kept motivating me." The India 'A' team will leave for Amsterdam on Friday night from here. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Neeraj Chopra awaits new beginning with NC Classic
Bengaluru: Athletes went about their routines as a cool breeze swept through Kanteerava Stadium, a result of Bengaluru being hit by rain over the past few days. A bunch of animated basketball players were on court in near darkness close to a massive cut-out of Neeraj Chopra announcing the Neeraj Chopra Classic that will take place on Saturday. Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra. (PTI) Chopra, the two-time Olympic medallist, world champion and India's pride in global athletics, has played a vital role in bringing a 'gold category' World Athletics event to India and giving young Indian javelin throwers an opportunity to compete against some of the world's best. The list of competitors here include Germany's 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler, Kenyan 2015 world champion Julius Yego and USA's Curtis Thompson (87.76m), who is second in the field after Chopra (90.23m) as leading throwers of this season. The late withdrawal of two-time world champion Anderson Peters has come as a disappointment but there are hundreds of fans who are excited to witness world-class javelin action with Chopra headlining the line-up. India's elite athletes have often complained about the dearth of international events at home which has forced them to go abroad for exposure and experience. Chopra himself followed that path years ago. It was in foreign countries that he learnt how to prepare, handle pressure, and overcome big-stage nerves. Now, as an established international athlete, Chopra has the wherewithal to make that journey easier for other Indian athletes. He has been quick to make a beginning this season and has been closely following the organisational aspect of NC Classic. 'I hope our athletes will gain from this experience of competing alongside top international competitors,' he said on Thursday at a felicitation function organised by the Karnataka Olympic Association. 'We are going to add more events in the coming years so that our athletes who do well at the global level also get a chance in India to compete among other quality athletes.' While organising the event has kept him busy, Chopra has also taken time out for his training. A busy season has also been a successful one with Chopra having breached the 90m barrier at the Doha Diamond League. He has been in back-to-back competitions. This will be his third in close proximity after Paris Diamond League and Ostrava. He knows fans would be eager to watch some big throws from him. 'The toughest part in training. We got very little time to train. I competed in Paris and Ostrava and then travelled to Bengaluru, so I will try my level best. We also had to arrange everything here. ' said Chopra. 'I am feeling very good, the way the preparations are going. I am very happy. I thank the Karnataka government, sports department, Karnataka Olympic Association for helping me to organise an event at such short notice and ensuring the stadium meets international standards. The biggest reason to do it in Bengaluru is that it is a very good city and the weather is good. The biggest goal is to make this event even bigger,' said Chopra, who also met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The success of the event will go a long way in bringing international events to India where athletics is still not big. Chopra though has been harbinger of change. Talk to athletes from any discipline at the venue and they know Chopra's credentials. However, it will still be a challenge to fill the 25,000-capacity stadium. 'Athletics is still not popular and people rarely follow,' says Sharandeep, a Karnataka state sprinter who trains at the Kanteerava. 'We compete in national and state meets here in front of empty stadiums. With Neeraj Chopra competing there will be a good crowd but will it be enough to fill the stadium, can't say? 'I am eager to know how Neeraj and other international athletes prepare before a competition. What do they do during their competition? We never get to watch international athletes in India and it will be a big learning for us. ' It will be same for Rohit Yadav, one of India's top throwers who will compete here. Rohit has taken part in World Championships but said he was excited to speak to Rohler. 'I like his style. He is not a power thrower and yet so good. I have a similar technique and to be alongside him and learn will be a big experience for me.'
