Ernakulam warms up to hockey

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The tussle for leadership in hockey continues year after year and this situation is not likely to settle in the near future. And there is more.

There are several allegations that eligible players have been kept at bay while selecting the state team. As a result, experts point out, apart from national goal keeper P. R. Sreejesh, no other Malayali has made it to even the Indian reserve bench in recent times.

It is amidst such hard times that the state senior hockey championship is going to be held on a freshly-ploughed and painstakingly-worked field in the vicinity of the Maharaja’s College Ground in Kochi from January 10 to 14.

The championship will be organised by the Ernakulam District Hockey Association and participation from 15 teams, one from every district and a team from the Sports Authority of India division in both the men and women’s categories, is expected.

“The drift between associations is ongoing, but at least there is hope now as a proper championship will be held after more than half a decade. This is certain to give the sport in the state a new lease of life,” says Sunil D. Emmatty, former state team captain and national junior camper.

The major problem is that for field hockey to regain its popularity in the state there must be regular competitions in not just the senior level, but also in the sub-juniors and juniors levels where it must be held in a systematic manner.

Prof. Anil Koshy, former university player and professor of U C College, which is the second venue for the state championship said, “Now that the state championship is going to be held, the tempo has to go on and more competitions must follow.

” He suggested that now defunct leagues must be brought alive. It is learnt that the Ernakulam association said they have plans to reinstate the Maharaja’s Cup in Kochi. Meanwhile, the ‘ring hockey’ tournament in Fort Kochi is likely to be hosted again next month.

“The ground where the state championship will be held next week was in a pathetic condition until a few weeks ago. We raised money from players to renovate it and make it fit for the competition,” said Prasanth, a former district player.

It is now important for hockey lovers in other districts to get motivated and be serious about rescuing hockey. The fight for leadership might continue, but let this state championship mark a new beginning.