Last Update: February 24, 2023, 15:45 IST
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Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey reiterated the importance of national championships and said there is a need to introduce a zonal system at the grassroots level to give more time to budding players.
In an effort to develop the game at the grassroots level, Hockey India The sports body’s president Dilip Tirkey said the country is planning to start zonal system tournaments in sub-junior (U-17) and junior (U-19) categories.
Tirkey, a veteran of 400 international matches, reiterated the importance of the national championship and said there is a need to introduce a regional system at the grassroots level to give more time to budding players.
“Development at the grassroots level is crucial for any sport to flourish. A strong foundation results in good players and a strong senior and junior national teams,” the former India captain said in Hockey India’s podcast series Hockey Te Charcha .
“In the past, athletes in the sub-junior (under-17) and junior (under-19) categories did not get enough playing time. We are going to rectify this by introducing a zonal system where they will play intra-zone and inter-zone competitions.
“In practice, not everyone will play for India, but this set up will at least allow the players to take pride in representing their respective region and give them a feel of the competitive environment at a young age,” Tirkey said.
He feels that the new system will also help the selectors and administration to create a huge pool of players.
“We are trying to build a pipeline of talent. From each zone, we can potentially have a pool of around 50 players. At any point of time, we need to have an idea of who our sub-junior or junior athletes are. level and so we can give them the necessary resources.”
Tirkey also informed that Hockey India is starting special training programs for athletes and coaches as part of the initiative.
“Depending on the level of competition at the zonal or national level, we can provide training modules accordingly, such as a ‘drag-flick programme’ or even a ‘goalkeeper programme’ involving former international players who attend these clinics. Can headline.
“Focus on individual development is very important and that is why we are emphasizing on residential facilities for young athletes rather than a simple academy-based model. This will help them become familiar with the training and nutritional requirements needed to perform optimally.”
Hockey India president said players can expect world-class arrangements at the upcoming national championships to be held in Odisha in April, where matches will be played under floodlights.
“Once we give our junior athletes responsibility and experience by emulating high-level competition from an early age, they will find it easier to face the challenges that come with playing for India at the international level.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)