Bhopal,APR 28
Hailing from Poonch, a remote district in Jammu and Kashmir located just 8 kilometres from the Line of Control, where opportunities in sport are scarce, 16-year-old Akshra Dutta has earned a place in Hockey India’s ongoing U-18 National Coaching Camp at the SAI facility in Bhopal.According to a release, Akshra earned this opportunity courtesy of her impressive showing at the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship 2026 Division ‘C’. Representing Hockey Jammu and Kashmir, she scored four field goals in the tournament, finishing as the second-highest goalscorer in her division. Her contributions played a key role in her team topping Pool B and securing promotion to Division ‘B’ for the next season.Behind her rise is a deeply rooted sporting environment at home. Her father, Santosh Kumar Dutta, is a professional gymnast who first introduced her to sport and continues to be her strongest pillar of support. Her mother is a government school teacher, her grandfather is a retired army personnel, and her sisters in the family are actively involved in sports as well, creating a culture of discipline, ambition and patriotism within the household. Reflecting on her journey, Akshra said, “When I was around seven years old, my father took me to the ground and asked me which sport I wanted to play. That day, I chose hockey, and since then, I have been playing the sport regularly. My father has always been my biggest support and motivation.”Coming from a region where pursuing sport is often met with scepticism, Akshra had to overcome social barriers early on. “In the beginning, people around me used to say that playing sports is a waste of time and that nothing would come out of it. But my parents always believed in me. Their support gave me the confidence to continue and work harder towards my dream of playing for India,” she shared.”
