In a recent announcement, the coaches of the Senior National Women’s Teams have expressed their admiration for Hockey India’s groundbreaking efforts in nurturing the next generation of drag-flickers and goalkeepers across the country.
Hockey India’s latest initiative, spearheaded by President Dr. Dilip Tirkey, represents a significant stride in investing in the future of Indian hockey, focusing specifically on specialized coaching aimed at young talents in crucial positions. This strategic decision follows a crucial meeting that convened to deliberate on the essential aspects of goalkeeping & drag-flicking coaching at the grassroots level, with participation from distinguished former India goalkeepers and drag-flickers.
The newly introduced initiative places primary emphasis on identifying and honing gifted players at the grassroots level, particularly in the pivotal roles of drag-flickers and goalkeepers. By creating a nurturing environment from an early age, Hockey India aims to fortify the talent pipeline for the nation’s esteemed hockey teams.
At the core of this initiative is the formation of a dedicated Talent Pool comprising former goalkeepers and drag-flickers, who will be deployed to premier national academies throughout India to conduct intensive 3-day training sessions. Subsequently, the experienced athletes will carefully pinpoint promising young talents and provide them with specialized attention and training tailored to enhance their skills and foster their potential.
Furthermore, in recognition of the invaluable contribution of these former players, Hockey India will provide compensation for their time and efforts, along with support to cover incidental expenses such as accommodation and travel arrangements.
Acknowledging the potential of the initiative to elevate the standard of hockey in India and produce world-class athletes in the future, Jharkhand Senior Women’s team coach Sumrai Tete stated, “As coaches, we often face challenges in dedicating separate time for the specialized coaching of goalkeepers and drag-flickers within the camp. Therefore, Hockey India’s initiative to prioritize these key aspects of the game is truly commendable. The success of our national teams heavily relies on the performance of goalkeepers and drag-flickers in the long run.”
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Senior Women’s team coach Paramjit Singh added, “The goalkeeper and drag-flicker play vital roles in a hockey team, significantly impacting a team’s chances of winning. Identifying and training these talents from grassroots level is crucial for success. The involvement of former players adds a special dimension to this program, offering invaluable experiences for young players to learn from.”
Sharing his views on the programme, Haryana Senior Women’s Team coach Azad Singh Malik asserted, “It’s widely acknowledged that a skilled goalkeeper and drag-flicker can significantly boost a team’s confidence. Therefore, guiding them from their formative years is paramount. This initiative is poised to be instrumental in nurturing top-tier goalkeepers and drag-flickers for Indian teams, ultimately elevating their performance to excellence.”
“In addition, the program will serve as a valuable resource for academy and state coaches, offering insights into training methods and techniques. The practical knowledge gained by former players will empower coaches with the necessary expertise to guide young talents under their mentorship,” he added.
The emerging consensus among state coaches signifies the positive impact and potential of Hockey India’s latest initiative to usher in a new era of excellence in Indian hockey, as it holds promise in identifying and nurturing the country’s future drag-flickers and goalkeepers.