‘Districts need astro-turfs’

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N. Lenin, the coach of Khaja Mian HSS (Tiruchy) was in high spirits in the wake of his team’s clinical dismantling of an out-of-depth Christu Raja HSS (Tirunelveli) in the final of the A.S. Vedanayagam memorial 10th state level inter-school hockey tournament.

Speaking to this paper soon after the match, Lenin was effusive in his praise of his wards, “The boys did me proud. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from them.

Playing in a final can be a daunting experience but they didn’t allow nerves to get the better of them. It’s good to see that the hard yards we put in during practice have started to yield results,” gushed Lenin.

When asked to divulge his views on the facilities being provided to the SDAT sports hostel boys at the district level, Lenin chose not to mince his words and vented his ire at the authorities concerned for not having done enough at the grassroots, “There is a paucity of astro-turf grounds which deprives the up and coming players of getting adapted to that surface.

We need more turf grounds. Each and every district in Tamil Nadu should have a minimum of one turf ground.

As deeply saddened as I am to say this, the existing scenario doesn’t hold much promise,” said a glum looking Lenin.

Lenin, however, put on a brave face about the talent that is coming through at the districts, “The one encouraging sign amidst all this doom and gloom is there being no dearth of promising players.

With a little bit of financial backing and the assuredness of a job after their playing careers, the number of more such players will only drastically increase.

Our aim is to ensure that these boys pass muster at every level they compete and are capable of representing the country in the long run,” added Lenin.

Shedding light on the nature of regimen involved, Lenin, who came across as a hard task-master said that the students are put through a rigorous training session that lasts for four hours a day.

“The students who belong to the U-18 age group are provided accommodation at the hostel. The training sessions are split into two blocks with the duration of each one being two hours. If a tournament is around the corner, we won’t grant leave.”

Like any other passionate Indian hockey fan, Lenin was also despondent at the Indian team’s debacle in the London Olympics where they finished with the wooden spoon.

“I am lost for words. I thought getting a medal was beyond their reach but felt they would at least finish in the top eight.

Unless the men who are in-charge of running the game change for the better, I am afraid such disappointing results will become the order of the day,” concluded Lenin.