Mumbai and Bangalore synergy in Junior Promotion
24th October, 2009: India’s two of the working State Hockey Associations, Karnataka and Mumbai, joined together to further the cause of junior talent. These associations have announced a Junior Home and Away series. This 10-match series will eb staged in December.
This is a good news as the Hockey India, despite ruling Indian hockey for two seasons failed to organize even a single national championship, though its self-proclaimed constitution even talks of penalizing the state units if they don’t send teams for the Nationals. And, it helps the state units from this penalty by not organizing any Nationals!
Fittingly, at the end of the series, a team of 18 is propsoed to be selected and sent abroad for exposure. Indeed, at least KSHA has sent their state teams occasionally to South Eastern Countries, it is definitely first of sort for the MHA.
To consolidate the already existing junior talent of these two regions, by coming out with a joint venture in the form of a Home & Away Junior Hockey Series to be played in Bangalore and Mumbai, a ten-matches series whereby it gives these talented boys the much needed exposure, match temperament, different playing conditions, experience travel, stay which a player has to endure on his way to becoming a top notch player has been scheduled
A trophy to be named after former Mumbai/Karnataka Hockey legends will be instituted and prize money of Rs.1,00,000/- to the Winners and Rs.50,000/- to Runners up will be awarded. This amount will be jointly raised by the two Associations.
After the end of the Series, there is also a proposal to select a squad of 18 players to go on a European or Oceanic tour for team exposure. This combined team will take part in any all India Tournament conducted by the respective Associations.
According to the organizers, the success of this series will be used to further promote the game and develop the talent of the junior boys who are deprived of a platform to showcase their talent by organizing four State tournaments from different zones.
Tendative Program
5th December, 2009 – arrival
6th December, 2009 – training/practice & press conference
7th December, 2009 – 1st match
8th December, 2009 – 2nd match
9th December, 2009 – rest day & Mumbai Darshan
10th December, 2009 – 3rd match
11th December, 2009 – 4th match
12th December, 2009 – rest day & dinner party
13th December, 2009 – 5th match i.e. Final day Prize distribution
Team composition: – 18 players, Manager, Coach, Asst.Coach & Physio
Boarding & Lodging will be taken care by the host association.
Best Player of the Series Rs.5000/- + Trophy
Goalkeeper Rs.2000/- + Trophy
Defender Rs.2000/- + Trophy
Midfield Rs.2000/- + Trophy
Forward Rs.2000/- + Trophy
Highest Goal Scorer Rs.2000/- + Trophy
For every match there will be a man of the match award as well.