Savitry Purty

Ranchi, Aug. 27: The invitation to Jharkhand’s Subhadra Pradhan to play club hockey in Holland would work as a boost to the eves of the state to play hockey well and pave their way abroad.

“Good players can now think of playing abroad and earn name, fame as well as money,” said Savitry Purty, the first woman to play international hockey from the state and the secretary of Jharkhand Women's Hockey Association at present.

Purty played for the country in 1983 as a left-out and got a job in the railways with other players from the state. That went on to inspire more girls to opt for serious hockey. Purty foresees something identical after Pradhan’s success.

“Pradhan (plays as centre half) is a live wire of the Indian women’s hockey team. She deserves the invitation, which would do a world of good to her, both in terms of experience and money. She is sure to gain a lot by this exposure,” Purty said.

Pradhan hails from Orissa and is a product of the Panposs Hockey Centre. But for the past few years she has been playing for Jharkhand in different tournaments, including the 33rd National Games. She is now employed with South Eastern Railway and is based in the city.

Pradhan is so strong and fast that her drag-flicks or the 25 yards push force opponents, including European players, to remove their legs from the line of the ball to escape unhurt, hockey experts here said.

“What is also remarkable about her is the level of confidence. She is so fast that at one moment she is at the opponent’s goalpost and in her half in the next to help her team defend,” one of the experts said.

When invited by the Dutch club Dane Bosch, Pradhan and Jasjit Kaur were preparing at Lucknow for the sixth senior Asia Cup to be played at Hong Kong from September 1 to 8.

Pradhan would return to play for the South Eastern Railway in the Indian Railway tournament from September 18 to 25. After this tournament Pradhan would leave for Holland to play club hockey for about a month and a half. She is likely to play 22 to 25 matches there and gain experience.