Started with bamboo sticks, Sunelita Toppo latest hockey talent to emerge out of Sundergarh

Sunelita Toppo recently made her senior India debut in the Women’s FIH Pro League.

Sundergarh, the hockey hotbed in Odisha, has produced another fabulous player named Sunelita Toppo. The 16-year-old made her debut for the Indian women’s hockey team on 3rd February against China in the Women’s FIH Pro League 2023-24.

Sunelita was drawn to hockey after watching the women from her village play hockey at a festival. She started playing hockey with bamboo sticks, but it wasn’t long before she made her mark in the 2022 National Games in Gujarat. Following this, she was selected for the Junior Indian women’s hockey team. As the team claimed its maiden title in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in 2023, Sunelita was called up to train with the senior team.