Hockey India (HI) introduced a brand new and impressive grassroots growth programme on Tuesday to unearth expertise and enhance the bench power of the nationwide senior and junior groups for women and men.
Under the initiative, HI will maintain zonal championships on the sub-junior (U-16) and junior (U-19) ranges to unearth expertise from the 4 zones – north, south, east and west. The first inter-zonal match will start on March 19 with 30 state groups anticipated to take part.
“The zonal championships will provide young athletes exposure to the same match conditions as the national championships. Shortlisted athletes identified in these championships will be required to participate in the nationals, giving them opportunities to further develop their skills,” mentioned HI president Dilip Tirkey, who deliberate the initiative on his election to the submit final yr.
To spot expertise, every zone could have choice committees. “It will have a minimum of three members each. The selectors and coaches of the zonal teams will be responsible to monitor and keep us updated on the further development of the players,” HI secretary-general Bhola Nath Singh mentioned.
Tirkey added that they’re focussed on creating gamers in specialised positions. “We’re looking to develop the sport in a holistic way. A group of 10 men and women goalkeepers and drag-flickers will be selected initially and trained under Indian and foreign coaches.”
The grassroots growth committee will determine coaching bases which have sufficient amenities. The programme goals to trace the event of gamers from the U-16 stage. This will assist HI to determine the talent set of every participant and hone them.
“The development of players in junior and sub-junior teams is also a focus as not everyone can play for India. The zonal championships will allow players to take pride in playing for their zonal team and enhance their resume,” added Tirkey, a former India captain.
HI additionally plans to construct U-17 and U-19 nationwide groups and ship them for overseas publicity. This is predicted to enhance the bench power of the junior and senior Indian groups.
The U-23 nationwide growth squad may also be built-in into the ecosystem to function a feeder for the Indian group.
HI has additionally recognized two essential elements. A particular coach’s panel is being shaped for the inter-zonal championship consisting of those that maintain at the least FIH Level 1 Certificate. These coaches, in addition to coaching the groups within the championship, may also assist develop home coaches. “Match officials are as important as coaches and players. We already have a list of promising technical officials from across the country. They will form a robust panel that will officiate in the grassroots tournaments,” Singh mentioned.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
