Deep Grace Ekka (born 3 June 1994) is an Indian former field hockey player,[1] who represented the India national field hockey team. She has been selected for Arjun award in 2022.[2]
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Lulkidhi, Sundergarh, Odisha, India | 3 June 1994||
Height | 1.58 m (5 ft 2 in) | ||
Weight | 63 kg (139 lb) | ||
Playing position | Defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current club | Railways | ||
Senior career | |||
Years | Team | ||
Hockey Odisha | |||
Railways | |||
National team | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2011–2023 | India | 268 | (24) |
Medal record |
Deep Grace Ekka was born on 3 June 1994 in a small village called Lulkidhi in the Sundergarh district of Odisha. She is the daughter of Charles and Jayamani Ekka.[3]
She started playing hockey in school and was coached by Tej Kumar Xess (2005–06). During a round of hockey selections at her school, she was selected to join the SAI-SAG centre of the Sports Authority of India in September 2007 and started playing at state level at the age of 13. She began to be coached by Lucela Ekka and Saroj Mohanty.[3] At the age of 16, she played at the senior nationals in Sonepat.[4]
In 2011, she played at the National Games in Ranchi. She was also selected for the Junior National Camp and travelled to Bangkok for the Junior Asia Cup.[4]
She started as a defender, but her desire was to become a goalkeeper as her brother and she used to play sometimes but her uncle, who was her coach, did not allow her to pursue or practise as a goalkeeper, so having no choice she became a defender.[4]