Bhanu Pratap Sahi (right) and Bandhu Tirkey at the meeting. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Feb. 25: The state has approached former hockey players for suggestions to attain glory in the sport.

Minister for human resource development and sports Bandhu Tirkey today organised a meeting with national and international hockey players from the state at the office of the Jharkhand Sports Authority. Tirkey invited suggestions from the veterans to improve hockey.

Health minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi also joined the congregation.

Sahi said he participated in the meeting as he wanted to improve the condition of sports in his constituency.

Former Olympian Silvasnus Dungdung and Manohar Topno were also present. Other international and national players at the event included Savitri Purty, Alexis Lakra, Naman Surin, Salomi Purty, Jasmani Kujur, Geogre Lakra, Augustine Tirkey, Viswasi Purty and Alma Guriya.

The minister requested the former players to search for talent and impart training to young players.

The veterans came out with their valuable suggestions.

Savitri, a national hockey player, asked Tirkey to take steps for organising camps in villages. She also asked the minister to increase the number of astroturfs in the state. “We have only one astroturf (in Ranchi) and this is insufficient to serve the purpose of our players in other parts of state,” Savitri added.

Augustine, another national hockey player, asked the minister to organise several competitions in the district and state as there aren’t sufficient events to sport talent.

Joseph, a national player and administrative officer at Mecon, suggested that the sports minister adopt the Uttar Pradesh model. “In that state, children are selected from villages at the age of 10 and trained,” he pointed out.

Tirkey said the meeting was the beginning of a process set to improve sports in Jharkhand. “I will not stop at hockey. I will pay equal attention to other sports also,” he said.