Chak de: Girls to take on boys in hockey tourney

Close on the heels of Baroda Cricket Association’s (BCA) move to introduce women’s cricket team in an official tournament for boys, the Baroda District Hockey Association (BDHA) has decided to follow suit.

In what is being seen as a first for Indian hockey, the girls U-14 team will play against the boys in the Late Shri Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad Under-14 Hockey Tournament beginning February 14.

In all, 14 teams are participating in the tournament. Of this, at least three are girls’ teams, while two teams will have a mix of boys and girls. The tournament itself is being organised for the first time and the association officials say it will remain a regular event.

Sanjay Aerke, BDHA joint secretary, told The Indian Express: “We have noticed that girls are sometimes afraid of hitting the ball with the stick, let alone compete with the boys. We want them to become tough. This will help them gain self-confidence.”