The Hindu: Academy launched

K. Keerthivasan

Turf will be ready by April: Baskaran

Centre for Sports Science (CSS), a vital cog of the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, has joined hands with V. Baskaran, former India captain and Olympic gold medallist, and the co-operation between the two will result in a hockey academy — TruCoach-CSS Baskaran Centre for Hockey — being a reality soon.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Baskaran said the turf will be ready by April this year.

“We will train and teach the nuances of hockey to u-10, 11, 12 & 14 kids [partly residential and partly coaching camp] and to those representing the country to correct their techniques. It will especially be of great use to drag-flickers and goalkeepers. The facility can host a tournament in the level of Champions Trophy,” said Baskaran.

The 68-year-old said he has spoken to Japanese coach and a couple of others and also visited the turf at the World Cup at Bhubaneswar recently to get inputs for his Academy.

The Centre for Hockey also intends use the services of reputed players such as Mohammed Riaz, Thirumalvalavan, V.R. Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh and Sardar Singh to make it “a formidable centre.”

Prof. S. Arumugam, whose brainchild is CSS, said CFC midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh used the facility for his successful recovery.

App to track sportsmen

“We also have an athlete-monitoring app which will track the sportsperson even after he leaves the Centre,” he said.