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Felix Academy takes wings

The Jude Felix Hockey Academy for underprivileged children was inaugurated on Saturday and at the end of the programme that included an exhibition game, cricketer Rahul Dravid had to take to the heels to avoid being mobbed by fans, mostly children, at the St Marys Orphanage Ground here.

Dravid, who had played hockey in his schooldays, showed his stickwork was still intact in a 15-minute appearance for Red XI as they played out a 1-1 draw with Yellow XI in the match featuring mainly former and current hockey players.

As the game ended, Dravid was shaking hands with the players when the fans ran towards the cricketer, many of them trying to have a closer look at the cricketing ace and keen to get his autograph. A few policemen, who were deployed at the ground, and the organisers managed to take Dravid away and he sprinted to his car before driving away.

Dravid came in as a substitute in the second half when his team Red XI were leading 1-0. He had a few hits at the goal but failed to score, after playing a couple of one-twos with former Indian captain Dhanraj Pillay. Dhanraj enthralled the fans with his delightful stickwork while Felix, Anil Aldrin, Len Aiyappa and Sandeep Michael too generated excitement amongst the gathering.

For the record, Cyprian Aind scored for the Reds while Michael netted the equaliser.

Dravid wished good luck to the kids. “I wish these kids perform well and play for India in the future. Apart form becoming a good player, sports can also mould them to be good human beings. We need many more academies like this for the uplift of hockey. I am happy to be a part of Jude’s academy. I am not new to hockey and I used to follow Dhanraj (Pillay) and Anil Aldrin during their playing days,” said the 35-year-old.

Earlier, St Mary’s Orphanage director, Fr John Anthony inaugurated the academy by hitting the ball into a vacant goal.