HIL a boon for Indian hockey
21 Feb 2015 12:17 AM GMT
I still remember the day when we for the cause of supporting and developing the national game decided to get associated with Indian hockey, which otherwise was at abysmal state of neglect.
We, in joint efforts with the federation, have come a long way but the league is certainly a shot in the arm. For hockey it’s a big leap forward. It is an absolute delight to see Ranchi Rays Ashley Jackson getting a pass from Manpreet Singh of his team, in its match against Punjab Warriors, and converting the three consecutive penalty corners into a hat-trick.
This league is reckoned as the biggest hockey league in the world and the good thing about it is that most players are still playing international hockey and representing their countries in big-ticket tournaments. Players from world’s thirteen top hockey-playing nations are participating in this league. It is obvious that Indian youngsters are getting a lot to learn by playing under coaches and with renowned players having different styles. Nothing could be a better treat for hockey than this. It is a precedent for the entire world.
Earlier, youngsters used to play among themselves and only a few selected players had international exposure. Even though different countries are not participating individually in this league, the opportunity to play with players of these countries and under the guidance of the coaches, this experience that has garnered by the upcoming Indian players can never be had in any other way.
For example, aspiring players like the 16-year old Dipsan Tirkey of Kalinga Lancers or other promising youngsters such as Harjeet Singh of UP Wizards and Harmanpreet Singh of Dabang Mumbai got an opportunity to transform their dream of playing with the likes of Jamie Dwyer and Ashley Jackson and other topmost players as well as learning from them, into reality. For these players it is indeed a dream come true and a golden opportunity to learn and play with the world’s best players.
We, in joint efforts with the federation, have come a long way but the league is certainly a shot in the arm. For hockey it’s a big leap forward. It is an absolute delight to see Ranchi Rays Ashley Jackson getting a pass from Manpreet Singh of his team, in its match against Punjab Warriors, and converting the three consecutive penalty corners into a hat-trick.
This league is reckoned as the biggest hockey league in the world and the good thing about it is that most players are still playing international hockey and representing their countries in big-ticket tournaments. Players from world’s thirteen top hockey-playing nations are participating in this league. It is obvious that Indian youngsters are getting a lot to learn by playing under coaches and with renowned players having different styles. Nothing could be a better treat for hockey than this. It is a precedent for the entire world.
Earlier, youngsters used to play among themselves and only a few selected players had international exposure. Even though different countries are not participating individually in this league, the opportunity to play with players of these countries and under the guidance of the coaches, this experience that has garnered by the upcoming Indian players can never be had in any other way.
For example, aspiring players like the 16-year old Dipsan Tirkey of Kalinga Lancers or other promising youngsters such as Harjeet Singh of UP Wizards and Harmanpreet Singh of Dabang Mumbai got an opportunity to transform their dream of playing with the likes of Jamie Dwyer and Ashley Jackson and other topmost players as well as learning from them, into reality. For these players it is indeed a dream come true and a golden opportunity to learn and play with the world’s best players.
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