Doubts over national hockey camp in Bangalore

BANGALORE: A national men’s hockey camp in Bangalore after nearly three years may not happen as Sports Authority of India, South Centre, has informed its bosses in New Delhi that the campers’ strength has reached full capacity.

With more than 200 campers in athletics and weightlifting set for a long stay in Bangalore, the south centre will be hard pressed to accommodate another 40-50 hockey players in case the camp is scheduled in July.

SAI secretary Gopal Krishna told TOI that he was aware that the south centre was full and said a decision would be taken soon on the camp venue. “We are in discussions with the stakeholders and will decide soon whether we will have the camp in Bangalore or elsewhere,” he said.

Apparently, SAI has been informed that until the new men’s hostel in the south centre gets ready by September, it would be difficult to accommodate more of the elite athletes. The second artificial turf – the old surface at Delhi’s National Stadium which was airlifted to Bangalore – too should be ready by then.

Doubts have been expressed about the main turf, but SAI sources said it will be cleaned up if they are given time. However, training or matches under lights as well as videography may not be as productive as they are a mere 300 lux as against an ideal value of 1200 lux.

The ongoing Hockey India Senior National championship in Bhopal will serve as trials with the selectors and the government observers set to shortlist probables, it is learnt. India are set to figure in the Asian Champions Trophy in September, the tour to Australia the following month, the Champions Trophy in December before gearing up for the Olympic qualifiers in Delhi next year.