Bangalore children game for dribble & drag flick

By Vivek Phadnis | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

Once very much sought after, hockey may not be in the prime of its popularity. But the game still manages to get its share of followers. Children, who want to learn the basics, can do so at summer camps and annual schemes.

Hockey is by no means a cheap sport. Though a stick and shoes are generally within reach for most kids who want to take to the sport, proper training facilities (such as a synthetic grass surface) are a must.

The options in Bangalore, a major centre for training, for learning hockey are pretty decent. A major chunk of the coaching is done by the Karnataka State Hockey Association (KSHA), the department of youth services and sports (DYSS), and sports authority of India (SAI).

The DYSS has been conducting a summer camp, and it will go on till the middle of next month. There are about 45 boys and girls in the camp. One batch has just concluded, and the second one is due to start in a couple of days. The coaching fee is `100 for 21 days, and children below 18 years are taken in.

For those who might want to continue playing hockey more seriously, SAI has what is called the SAI Sports Training Centre scheme. The scheme is fully funded by SAI, which receives funds from the Central government.

Most Karnataka players, who have made it to the Indian team, are products of SAI. Once selected, SAI pays for the playing kit, boarding and lodging, education fees and medical expenses in the residential scheme. In the day-boarder scheme, players are given a stipend apart from the playing kit. From here, many players get picked for the state and national teams.

The KSHA is also starting a year-long coaching programme from May 2. Top coaches and former Indian players like Ashish Ballal are going to be involved in the coaching.

The KSHA plans to have three categories — induction (for beginners), semi-skilled (for those who know the basics but want to learn more) and skilled (for good players to get better). “We are expecting some 70 players to enroll,” said KSHA secretary K Krishnamurthy. “No coaching fee would be charged.”

The KSHA is also planning to get players and coaches from other districts to Bangalore once in a year to keep them updated on the latest techniques in the game.