Project the game positively: Pargat
Vijay Lokapally
CHANDIGARH: Good coaches, good equipment and very good environment are the factors Pargat Singh believes are essential to attract a youngster to hockey.
The four-nation Punjab Gold Cup tournament that he organised was aimed at gifting the aspirants a platform to watch some world-class players and draw inspiration. To some extent, Pargat was convinced he had achieved his goal.
Identifying talent
It is difficult to acquire quality overnight. So Pargat has developed a scheme that promises to give a start to the process of identifying players for the future.
“You have to take the game to the people. The spectators should get value for the time and money they spend. This generation wants only quality. If you falter, you lose the audience. My first task is to project the game in a positive manner.
“We can do without needless controversies and concentrate on sustaining the interest that we have managed to generate from this tournament,” said Pargat, who is the Director (Sports), Punjab.
For long there has been talk of “packaging” the game and exploring talent in some select areas. Pargat too has a vision and believes in the policy of creating pockets where the administration and the federation have a role to play along with former players and parents.
Needless comparison with cricket irks the former India captain and National coach. “There is no point in comparing these two games. In today’s world, the focus is on commercialism.
“Who wants to play hockey because it was once the National game. I don’t think there is any sense in expecting a youngster to be happy by just getting an opportunity to represent the country.
“A hockey player also needs to sustain his family. He also wants to live a comfortable life and that can’t come unless there is money in hockey. And that can come only if we get sponsors and sell the game. The reality is that we can’t be just living on our glorious past,” he said.
Ambitious plan
Three years ago, Pargat launched an ambitious plan of catching the players young. It started with 25 teams and the number has increased to 118. The matches are held on weekends and in three age groups.
“The first year we distributed 2,000 hockey sticks and the number was doubled the next year. This year we have given away 8,000 hockey sticks. From 20 goalkeeper kits in the first year, we have distributed a total of 120 by now. The first year saw only 30 girls come for the trials. We now have 600 girls playing,” Pargat said.
The league is conducted in Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Refreshments and pocket money are small incentives for a player but consistently good performance wins them a cycle too.
Request for assistance
On a broader canvas, Pargat is planning a six-a-side league and has requested the Sports Authority of India for assistance.
“We can buy a number of small turfs and install them in rural centres and small towns. The cost of the turf would be less and we can manage with small grounds. The kids will at least get an early exposure to astroturf,” he said.
Discipline and passion are paramount for Indian hockey to improve, according to Pargat. “I made some mistakes and do regret them. We must educate our players and make them aware of their responsibilities. Spectators will not come if you indulge in violent activities on the field.
“I think once the player is convinced his future is secure as a hockey player, he would give his best,” concluded the man who in his time was considered one of the best defenders in the world.