It is surely Chak de effect. An effect the stick manufacturers in Jalandhar are relishing. They are getting more orders for hockey sticks than normal times, especially for the junior sticks.
Says prominent stick manufacturer Anil D. Mehta of Maharajda brand: “A group of people came and purchased 60 junior sticks and they said this is meant for Gandhi family. Probably to gift to Madam Sonia Gandhi’s grand children and friends”.
“Am really happy many people are coming and purchasing stick for youngsters and they are all new to hockey. This development is good, and I like it”. On asked whether it was Chak De effect, he retorted, “then what?”
The real test whether Chak De struck a chord with the youth of the country or not could only be obtained in Jalandhar, hub of hockey stick and sports goods producers. That the Chak de effect is felt there is a good augury.
Mehta is also happy over the fact that the purchasing power of present day players has increased. “In the past, players will hesitate even to spend 400, 500 rupees for a stick, now bulk of them don’t mind spending even Rs. 5000 for a stick of composite variety”, he says with glean.
Mehta is running a family business, fo which his father is the originator and supplies stick to various MNCs based in Europe. He also got a bulk goalkeeper kit order from Simon Mason, the Great Britain goalkeeper, recently. His domestic brands inlcude Maharajda and Atlas.