File picture of a hockey match at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, April 28: Questions are being asked about whether the state’s golden era in hockey is on the verge of ending as the 18-member Indian hockey team that left for London yesterday to take part in a four-nation Olympic test event consisted only two Odia players — Ignace Tirkey and Birendra Lakra.

The decrease in the number of Odias representing the Indian hockey team have made many veteran players feel that lack of infrastructure and coaching facilities and not hosting national-level tournaments have cast a cloud that could soon bring the state’s glorious tradition in the game to an end.

Michael Kindo, who was a part of the 1972 Olympic bronze-winning team and also a member of the 1975 World Cup winning team, said the state is lagging behind in infrastructure to groom young hockey players.

“At present, we have only two proper synthetic turfs — one at Panposh Hockey Stadium and another at SAIL Hockey Academy. A third one is coming up at Panposh. But, this is not enough,” he said.

“Though in our times, we could manage to perform at the international level even after practising on grass grounds, the game has changed today. Now, players need to be a lot more fitter and groomed right from the beginning to register wins at higher levels,” said the veteran.

Kindo added that even the number of coaches required was higher than what was provided to the hockey hostels. There are only three coaches at Panposh whereas at least five are r quired to groom players at sub-junior and junior levels.

He also felt that Odia players did not get the required level of national exposure. “Since we do not conduct any national tournaments, our players mostly get to play against Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. But, they should play more with teams such as Punjab, Haryna and Uttar Pradesh,” he said.

A.K. Choudhury, who is in charge of Panposh Stadium, said that though the representation of Odia players was increasing at the national level in the sub-junior and junior categories, it was falling in the senior category.

“The Odisha team emerged runners-up at the Junior National Championship last month and three Odia boys were selected for the national junior team. Six girls from the state are also there in the national junior team. However, the number of Odia players in the national team is slowly reducing at the senior level. Earlier, there used to be at least five to six players in the men’s team. But now, there are only two Odia players in the 18-member national squad. Similarly, only three players represent Odisha now in the women’s national senior team, whereas earlier at least five used to play,” said Choudhury.

“Lack of job opportunities is also distracting players at the senior level,” he said.

“When our players are given jobs outside Odisha, they are bound to work there and even lose touch with the game. What they need are honorary jobs in Odisha that would allow them to practise more and become stronger players. It would be best if the corporate or public sector enterprises of Odisha could come forward so that the Odia players remain in the state,” he said.

Former national player and Olympian Lazarus Barla feels the existing sports hostels need a makeover. “The coaches at most hostels remain busy with administrative duties and overlook coaching. This obviously hampers the players’ training. Also, the number of seats in hostels must be raised from around 20 to 30 so that there are enough players to make teams and practise,” he said.

Barla said the participation of female players had also decreased over the years.

The almost three-year delay in the establishment of a proposed astro turf at Kalinga stadium in Bhubaneswar is also a cause of worry for the players. “In Sundergarh, hockey is the only game people indulge in for entertainment or recreation. But when we come to Bhubaneswar, forget about following the game passionately, not many even understand it. Had Kalinga Stadium been ready, things would have been different,” said Barla.

Authorities, however, say that hockey will soon get a boost and the state’s players will get the best opportunities. “The astro turf at Kalinga Stadium will be ready in another six months. We are also all set to improve coaching and other facilities at all our hockey hostels in Sundergarh, Panposh and Cuttack. International and national-level matches will also be held regularly from next year,” said secretary in charge of the state sports department Manoj Ahuja.

Often, players have also rebelled against Hockey Odisha, the association that looks after the game’s affairs in the state. Last year, former national captain Prabodh Tirkey was among three other Odia players who represented Jharkhand at the National Games. The said Hockey Odisha did not inform or invite them to play for their home state.

“There have always been ego clashes and politics in the body, which have demoralised us time and again,” Tirkey had then told The Telegraph.

But, Hockey Odisha secretary Pratap Satpathy said the association had always helped players.

“Some players always find reasons to complain. But, we are doing our best,” said Satpathy. “Recently, we hosted the first state women’s hockey championship. Moreover, our teams have performed very well at the sub-junior and junior levels at national championships this year. We are also planning to conduct a clinic for hockey coaches and umpires. We have also spoken to the state sports department to increase both the number of seats in hockey hostels and turfs for practice,” he said.