SHAHBAD: A small town, 70 kilometres away from Chandigarh has brought about a revolution in Indian hockey. Shahbad, and to be more precise the Shahbad Hockey Academy, is a nursery for hockey stars right from the men’s national team, the women’s team and the present cynosure of all eyes – the junior women’s hockey team.

Six players of the bronze-medal winning Indian junior team are from Shahbad, including the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the Junior World Cup – Rani Rampal. Others include Navneet Kaur (girl who scored the winning goal in the bronze medal play-off match against England), Manjeet Kaur, Navjot, Poonam Rani and Monika. All the five train at the Shahbad Hockey Academy under the watchful eyes of coach Baldev Singh, who has helped the young girls hone their skills.

At the academy the players practice as the coach keeps a vigilant gaze on his wards. The girls respect and revere their guru. All of them unanimously feel that it’s coach Baldev’s dedication and discipline that has brought laurels to the academy. To put it in numbers, more than 40 players have represented India at the international level from this academy.

And, the coach himself is a no-nonsense person. Hockey flows in his blood and he is ready to live and die for the sport.

“I am a strict coach. Whosoever comes to the Shahbad Hockey Academy has to undergo rigorous training. These girls have to inculcate discipline and dedication for the game first. Before one holds a hockey stick they have to pledge that they’ll give it their all to the sport. Then only they can go onto play for the country and achieve something. I make sure that these players have the respect for the game,” Baldev puts it in words about his vision and the way he constantly churns our international players.

Most of the players who train at the academy come from economically weaker sections of the society, where three-time meal per day is a struggle. Many don’t have shoes, hockey sticks and lack proper diet to play the game at a competitive level. But, if he or she is talented then the academy supports the players in every possible way.

“These girls come from far-flung areas. They do not come from well to do families. But if I spot a talented girl then I make sure I don’t leave her in the lurch. Our academy supports the child fully, providing her all the equipments to play the game and if it so happens that I have to shell out money from my pocket then so be it,” Baldev reflects over the financial challenges that the academy has to face.

Though there are problems aplenty for the young girls training here at the academy but there is no lack of enthusiasm. It’s hockey what they live for.

“We face problems from the society. We face financial problems. We face logistical problems and many other problems. But that doesn’t deter our enthusiasm for the game,” says Navneet Kaur, who was seen practicing at the academy turf, a day after being felicitated at the national capital.

It’s business as usual for Navneet and some of her other teammates like Manjeet Kaur and Navtoj Kaur, who were back at the academy practicing under the watchful eyes of coach Baldev.

“Its important to look ahead. I know we have won a medal but the important thing is to maintain the momentum and continue the good work. For that we have to train well and improve our fitness levels. That’s why all of us are back on the hockey turf,” Navtoj echoes her teammate Navneet’s sentiments.