N.S. Saini demonstrates ball control to aspiring hockey players at the SAI centre in Bariatu Girls High School in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, July 13: He has been their guardian, mentor, and source of inspiration for the last 17 years. Under his tutelage, tribal girls of Jharkhand have scaled great heights in national and international hockey.

Meet Narendra Singh Saini, hockey coach at the Sports Authority of India (SAI)’s Bariatu Girls High School centre.

Saini’s association with the sport centre dates back to 1987, when the SAI centre was established here at the girls school. Under his guidance more than 30 girls have represented the country in international hockey tournaments.

Four girls trained by him are in the senior national team and10 are in the junior national squad. Saini has also helped around 50 hockey players get jobs in different organisations.

“Girls from this centre have dominated the junior national tournaments since 1987,” said a proud Saini, adding that the the girls won the under-19 national tournament from 1987 to 1997.

However, few remember Saini’s contribution to women’s hockey in the state. Last year, when three of his students — Kanti Baa, Masira and Sumrai Tete — were felicitated and given Rs 5 lakh each after the Indian women’s team won the Commonwealth title, Saini was promised a reward of Rs 51,000. But he is yet to get the money.

But, Saini does not complain. “These things happen. I have done my job with sincerity. My players’ achievements are my real rewards,” he said.

On the secret of his success, he said: “Hard work and discipline. These girls are very hard working, dedicated and focussed. They never complain or crib about the rigorous training sessions I put them through,” he said.

“Their training begins at 5 am and continues till 8.30 am. They take a break to attend classes and come back to the field at 4.30 pm. They practice from 4.50 pm till the sun sets,” said Saini, who has travelled with the junior team for tournaments in Australia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. The girls won the silver medal at the Bangkok meet.