Kerala’s new breed of hockey women

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It is evening at the south end of UC College and a group of girls, draped in fresh pink jerseys are playing hockey, a game that has traditionally been their strength and identity for over two-and-a-half decades.

The hockey girls stamped their supremacy in the sport by lifting the MG University championship for 10th time in a row and they did it in sublime fashion, spanking their opponents with 31 goals to nothing in return.

Moreover, when the 18-member University team was announced, 14 of them came from this college and they will take part in the first South Zone inter-university championship in Salem that begins from October 5.

"We have such a strong tradition of women’s hockey that dates back to even before the inception of MG University in the early 80s. Every year, players from north and central Kerala get admission that enriches our squad,” said Anil Thomas Koshy, hockey coach and head of physical education.

Sports council coach M.V. Simon and Anil have been fine tuning the talent of these hockey girls who reach the college, one of its kind that provides hostel facilities for women hockey players in central Kerala, from Kozhikode, Kannur, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam and other districts.

Anu V.S., a final year graduate student is the captain of the current college team and though the game isn’t that popular in that State, these girls are eager to consider it professionally.

“We have a very good team and each year talented players join. I would love to pursue a career in the sport and so do most other girls,” said Anu, who plays as a forward.

The recent hype hockey has savoured through the success of national men’s hockey goalkeeper Sreejesh has also inspired these aspiring girls who are willing to take the risk of carrying on despite there being very little promotion for the national sport in the State.

“It seems that the conditions are changing as Hockey India and Kerala Hockey seem to have reached an understanding. Earlier, the selection procedures were all in peril because of the existence of two or three associations but, now it is changing,” said Anil.

Though women’s hockey has not received much accolades from either the State or associations the tradition and persistent hardwork of the hockey girls of UC College is certainly an inspiration and driving force that keeps alive the national sport in our midst.