Cuttack, June 5: Badal Behera (17), a budding talent from Dhenkanal, is happy that he would return home as a better hockey player. An ardent fan of former India hockey captain, Dilip Tirkey, Behera was attending a fortnight-long summer training camp here to learn the basic techniques and skills of the game.
Organised by Cuttack District Hockey Association (CDHA) at the Satyabrata Stadium here, the camp, which concluded today, saw the participation of over 60 youths in the age group of 14 to 18.
“As a hockey enthusiast and a beginner, I was amazed to see the facilities being provided to impart training. I am very happy that I could make good use of my summer vacation,” said Behera.
The participants, who were undergoing formal training in hockey, were provided with necessary equipment, including hockey sticks and jerseys, free of cost by the organising body. Members of the association also expressed their hope to revive the game in the coastal belt of the state.
“We are happy that without any encouragement and support from any quarters, we have been able to conduct the camp. This would certainly create an interest among the youth and attract them to the game,” said CDHA secretary Pranab Kishore Patnaik. Patnaik said the hockey camp was organised with the concerted efforts of the association and a few former hockey players of the state.
Hockey is losing its popularity due to lack of adequate support from the government to promote the game. Even the Orissa Council of Sports, which used to organise summer camps at this stadium for training in various games, has become dormant now.
“A number of annual events used to take place at Satyabrata stadium. However, things had changed. Now, the time has come to revive the game,” Patnaik added.
Renowned hockey trainer, Pradip Kumar Sarangi of the Sports Authority of India and senior hockey trainer of the state sports department, Milton Bilung, were assisting the organisers to nurture the young talents. The organisers said efforts would be made to ensure that the participants continue to receive guidance from the experts in future. All participants were given certificates on the concluding day of camp.
