Indian men’s hockey team will feature at least 4-5 players from Kodagu in a year to come, said Indian team’s former captain V.R. Raghunath. He was speaking to media persons after visiting the Vanabhadrakali temple at Hathur near Gonikoppal along with his wife Surya.

The hockey star expressed his happiness over the Indian hockey team’s performance in the World Hockey League Semi-Final held at London and added that the men’s team, which is ranked sixth, had qualified for the 2018 Hockey World Cup to be held in Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

He also donated Rs. one lakh for the temple development. Temple Committee President Kelapanda Vishwanath, Committee Members Kalengada Madappa, Kongepanda Subbaiah and Kokanda Arjun were present.

Raghunath, who works as a Manager with Indian Oil Corporation, has represented India in 242 matches and scored 130 goals. He is also the recipient of Arjuna Award, Ekalavya Award, Times Player of the Year-2017 award among others.

Having represented India in two Olympic and World Cup, four Champions Trophy, Raghunath has also led the Indian Men’s Hockey team for few matches.