Five tribal girls who play hockey were on cloud nine on Saturday when they learnt they would go to Middlebury College in Vermont, US, to get training, play matches and take part in cultural exchange programmes for three months.

Their names were announced at the end of a week-long field hockey camp in the presence of Marie Royce, US assistant secretary of state in charge of educational and cultural affairs, who was on a visit to eastern India for the first time.

“We believe the power of cultural exchange through sports is transformative,” Royce, accompanied by Patti Hoffmann, US consul-general in Calcutta, and Monica Shie, director of American Center, Calcutta, said. “These are future leaders.”

The five girls were Pundi Soro and Juhi Kumari of Khunti, Priyanka Kumari of Gumla and Henrita Toppo and Purnima Neti of Simdega.

They were among the 107 girls from Ranchi, Khunti, Lohardaga, Gumla and Simdega who participated in a week-long field hockey-cum-leadership camp, held by the US Consulate in Calcutta, and implemented by Delhi-based anti-trafficking NGO Shakti Vahini and Ranchi railway division.

At the camp, the girls were also empowered to spread awareness in their communities against human trafficking.

“When we work together, change happens,” Royce said.

She appeared to enjoy the cultural evening and awards ceremony held at the auditorium of XISS. A 13-member troupe performed a storytelling-dance ‘I Rise’ on the zeal of women to fight the odds. XISS alumna and Congress’ Mahagama MLA Deepika Pandey Singh and former Baharagora MLA Kunal Sarangi, and a large number of people were among those present at the event.