Indian hockey’s precious diamonds need to be recognised

Andrea Thumshirn

A German hockey player who’s doing pioneering work in laying down the roots of what might become an important element in the development of grassroots modern recreational/elite hockey in her adopted country, India.

By importing a discarded artificial turf and laying it down through her own efforts, in a dusty village in Rajasthan, she has set an example on how low-cost NGO type of work can benefit Indian hockey.

Andreu Enrich and his Spanish group’s work on similar lines in Anantpur in Andhra Pradesh. Hats off to your world-class effort for the poor children of India. How about asking them to tour all over India, sharing their experiences, both successes and failures, spreading the good word & encouraging others to do the same? They need administrative support & encouragement.

Nameless Academies doing selfless work, like Jude Felix Academy, Chandigarh Academy, and many such academies both in Punjab and Odisha, and in Karnataka like the Ashish Ballal Academy, in building and nurturing talent. We only hope that all folk associated with this valiant effort sustain their energy and drive. You are vital cogs in the non–governmental development of Indian hockey.

The Thousand Hockey Legs Program of K Arumugam & Shashank Gupta is also a vital effort in promoting recreational hockey from its deep slumber in India. A world-class effort. Thank you guys.

The pioneering work of Dr. Shankar Kumar Chatterjee, among the slum dwellers in Kolkata. He’s conducting a very interesting experiment in introducing modern, scientific, European blend of hockey techniques from all over the world into grassroots hockey, to fathom the degree of its adaptation by Indian kids.

It has the potential to give all Indian hockey teachers/ coaches some insight into the learning abilities of Indian kids with different course material. To go against the grain of Indian parents, cultural bias towards studies/tuition, and yet introduce a sports culture and grassroots recreational hockey, is extremely difficult.

He has, in spite of tremendous odds, politics, attitude of parents, culture, and cricket, developed a fledging hockey league. India salutes you! How about a seat at the table amongst pioneer coaches, recounting his experiences?

Merzban Bawa, being the ultimate Pied Piper of Mumbai hockey, instrumental in hundreds of Mumbai-ites playing hockey because of his tireless effort in chaperoning and encouraging them over the years.

He is responsible for the development of the likes of the Valmiki brothers, Viren, Adrian D’Souza and many other Olympian/Mumbai/ national team talent. Mr Bawa, how about sharing your experiences and enthusiasm with others?

It is imperative that India polishes these above diamonds even further and adds even more of them, so that it makes a gorgeous necklace that should be Indian hockey.

India is a huge country. I’m certain there are innumerable unknown precious stones all over India and the above are only those in one’s immediate purview.

No real disservice is meant to these folks or institutions by not mentioning them above. But a proposal to have a joint effort in recognizing these other diamonds, and spreading the word on their exploits, needs active consideration. Please contribute in this effort, by adding further gems with their bona fides in the comment section.