Vivek Sagar Prasad: Tokyo 2020 is our best chance to win an Olympic Medal

The 20-year-old midfielder could be the next big thing in Indian Hockey.

The Indian hockey team is going through a purple patch at the moment and young midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad believes upcoming Tokyo 2020 is their best chance to win an Olympics medal.

Vivek Sagar Prasad recently won the FIH Rising Star of the year 2019 award and went on to win the Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2019 (U-21).

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He has impressed everyone with his top-notch performances in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League. He remarked, "Our training is focused on building our performance and remain consistent in the FIH Hockey Pro League."

"The training is going on as usual in SAI, Bengaluru where the focus is on fitness and better success rate of circle penetrations. The team believes that Tokyo 2020 is our best chance at winning an Olympic Medal."

Vivek Sagar Prasadalso expressed his happiness for receiving the award in front of stalwarts of Indian hockey and agreed that recognition is a big motivation for them in their budding careers. He said, "It was very special to receive the award in front of so many former players who I idolise. It was doubly special to receive the award in front of my childhood Coach Ashok Kumar Dhyan Chand."

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"I learnt hockey under him and faired as a young player before getting called up for Junior National Camp and subsequently the Senior team. I am thankful to the Indian team, Coaching staff and also seniors who have helped shape my career as a player."

Indian women's hockey team player Lalremsiami echoed Vivek's statement. She won the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year 2019 (U-21) for her outstanding performance in India's campaign to win an Olympic berth among other important tournaments in 2019. They won a total cash prize of Rs 15,00,000 lakh each.

Lalremsiami said, "Being awarded a big sum early in our career is a huge motivation and the money would help my family overcome financial struggles. Also, many people back in my hometown now believe that hockey can be a viable career option as it involves financial benefits. I am sure this gesture from Hockey India will inspire many more aspiring players to take up the sport on a serious level."

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The Women's Team is currently undergoing a conditioning camp in SAI, Bengaluru which will conclude on 14 March 2020 and the core group will return on 23rd Match for training and preparatory camp for their next tour.

"We are focused on our mission Olympics and are working every day to improve ourselves. We are not allowing external factors to affect our rhythm," added Lalremsiami.