In a pleasant development, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, has praised the Delhi based NGO, Hockey Citizen Group, for its co-operation in mobilizing players for its ‘Come and Play’ scheme.

“I understand and appreciate that Hockey Citizen Group has extended fullest co-operation in mobilizing young players for hockey sport under the innovative ‘Come and Play’ scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports”, wrote Injeti Srinivas, Joint Secretary, in a letter addressed to K. Arumugam, Founder and CEO of Hockey Citizen Group.

He expressed satisfaction that substantial portion of the hockey enrollment is from the schools which adopted the NGO’s ‘One Thousand Hockey Legs’ program under which hockey has been introduced and being run in these schools by your team of volunteers.

“I am happy this NGO has credited us majority of Under – 14 boys, which is a healthy sign in promoting the national game of India”, he adds.

Recently, the Ministry threw open all the stadiums of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi under ‘Come and Play’ Scheme. However, hockey did not get many trainees in the beginning. However, hockey citizen group worked hard, and in short span of time, successfully mobilized its schools boys to join and benefit from the innovative scheme. The scheme picked up thereafter.

The quick mobilization was made possible because the NGO introduced hockey in 10 schools this year in Delhi, fifth centre in India, and have been training around 250 school students regularly in Delhi alone.

Finally, about 375 trainees came for hockey under ‘Come and Play’ scheme, which includes around 150 OTHL boys.

On this proud occasion, Arumugam thanked the Ministry for the gesture in writing to HCG. “This will motivate us to do more, and also an acknowledgement for our team work”, the founder added.

“I am particularly happy that Mr. Injeti Srinivas wished constructive role for NGOs such as ours”, he said.

“I personally thank all the OTHL Delhi schools, their Principals, Physical Education Teachers (Kulwinder Singh, Krishnan, Rajiinder Singh, Ajay, Ruby Madam), part-time coaches (Alam, Subhash and others), and in particular volunteer Navneet who continued the enrollment job even without me, as I was partly in Ipoh during the crucial period”, Arumugam added.

Since inception in Dec 2008, Hockey Citizen Group has introduced hockey in 8-10 non-hockey schools in each city under its One Thousand Hockey Legs concept. For more information, visit http://othl.stick2hockey.com and facebook: one thousand hockey legs.

Message of some of the Hockey Citizen Group volunteers:

PK Mohan (Trustee): It is indeed wonderful news that even the Ministry of Sports was moved enough to send the appreciation letter.

The age group that is the focus of OTHL (school kids, u-14, boys and girls), and the structured manner in which OTHL is being conducted in multiple cities across India, is something unique in Indian sports. Only an idealistic NGO is capable of such dedication, far from the media limelight. Congratulations to your tireless work for the OTHL. We have made a difference in the lives of so many school kids, most of whom must have picked up a hockey stick for the first time thanks to OTHL.

V. Ravichandran (Trustee): Very happy to see the appreciation by the Ministry for the hard work which you and the team put up in promoting Hockey . I feel proud of being part of such a great team and wish to work more for the cause. My heartfelt congratulations for the Dedication of one and all in the organization.

Dr. Shankar Kumar Chatterjee(Project Officer, Kolkata): Congratulations.

Shashank Gupta (Trustee): Welcome development, big responsibility ahead

K. Manickam (Project Officer, Puducherry): Delighted at the right recognition from right quarters. We should work hard to replicate such success in every centre.