Imphal, May 04: Even though the fans and well-wishers of Dhanraj Pillay resented over the non-inclusion ace striker in the 18-member Indian team for the 'experimental' side to play in the four-nation tournament in Japan, Manipur is proud of Ksh Surajkanta who was included in the 18-member team as goalkeeper.

Indian Hockey Federation, IHF named 18 players on May 2 for the four nation tournament.

IHF ignored Pillay and two more senior players, Baljit Singh Dhillon and Baljit Singh Saini.

They were also not called to join a fitness camp for 12 other players at Barog.

Probables for Olympics would be picked up from these 30 players.

Exclusion of specially Pillay from the 30 players evoked resentment among the hockey fans.

India will meet South Korea, China and Japan in the tournament starting on May 13.However, inclusion of Manipur's Ksh Surajkanta in the 18-member Indian team in the four-nation tournament show a new light of reviving men's hockey in the state.

He will be fourth hockey Olympian if he is selected from the probables.

Manipur so far produced three hockey Olympians - Nilakamal, Tiken and Thoiba.

Nilakamal is the second Olympian from the entire northeast region after Talimeren Ao (football) of Nagaland and Manipur's first Olympian.

The chance of selecting Surjakanta for the Olympic team is very high as there would be only few contenders in goalkeeper.

Men's hockey was once dominated by Manipur in the national level.

However, its (Manipur) domination was withered for the last decade or so.

Manipur have been showing poor performance in the men's hockey for the last few years with the failing of finding a single berth (player) in the national team.

On the other hand, Manipur's Surjalata is leading Indian women hockey team with another ace striker Sangai Ibemhal of Manipur.

The women team is reigning champions of prestigious championships including of Asia Cup and 1st Afro-Asian Games.

Ksh Surajkanta inclusion in the Indian team is very significant in view of the withered hockey scenario of Manipur and at the crucial period just before Olympic Games.

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