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Hockey on a high
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The Premier Hockey League is all set to redefine and promote the game in a big way
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A SERIOUS thrust is being given to the concept of Hyderabad evolving into a major hockey development centre, if the ambitious Premier Hockey League is any indication. The Indian Hockey Federation zeroed in on the city, not only to make optimum use of the world-class floodlit facilities at Gachibowli, but also to ensure a special place for the city in the hockey map.
In a chat with The Hindu, K. Jyothikumaran, secretary-general of IHF, said that the PHL would not only be a big boost to the sport itself but would also project Hyderabad as a major hockey centre in the Asian region.
"The facilities here are arguably the best in Asia and we will make every effort to get the best utility value from the venue. The IHF has already been briefed about the idea of setting up a development centre here during the last Afro-Asian Games," he pointed out. "The organisational skills of the local officials and government support should make our job much more easier," he said to another query.
The IHF secretary is also optimistic of hockey getting the much desired fillip thanks to the PHL, which features five teams each in Tier I and Tier II competitions involving 40 matches in all. "The whole concept, visualised long back but materialising only now, will be an innovative affair. Instead of the normal half-time break, the matches will be split into four quarters with time-outs like in basketball, adding colour to the game," Jyothikumaran informed. "Thanks to the efforts of Leisure Sports Management and ESPN, we are looking much beyond merely organising the PHL this year. There are bound to be long-term benefits as this is only the beginning," he revealed.
The IHF secretary also stressed that PHL was the first of its kind in Asia and was widely welcomed in the IHF Congress recently. "The idea appealed because the concept of foreign players featuring in a national league is refreshingly different," he says.
Improving standards
Apparently, the IHF is also looking at improving the standard of the domestic game, with the best of Indian players rubbing shoulders with international stalwarts like the 10 players from Pakistan and a couple of more from Malaysia. "Just imagine the impact of Sohail Abbas playing in the Indian league and the inspiration it would provide to the budding youngsters," he suggests.
Essentially, the IHF is also aiming to give more value to the sport and the players by commercialising the idea. "Unfortunately, we could not host the senior nationals for want of a host unit. In this background, this league should go a long way in lifting the spirit of the Indian players," he argues.
"It is too early to visualise the financial gains the IHF would get from the league but what is certain is that it will have a long-term positive impact on the sport in the country," Jyothikumaran asserted.
It is not that the IHF has closed its options for more innovations. The possibility of shifting the event and creation of zones has not been ruled out. "When the basic idea is to popularise the sport across the country, we are bound to welcome any changes in the format that helps the game," agrees Jyothikumaran.
Interestingly, all the officials, coaches and managers, and the players of course, are paid handsomely in the PHL. He also said that by giving an appearance money of Rs. 1 lakh to Level I players, Rs. 50,000 each to Level II and Rs. 35,000 to Level III players, the IHF is trying to convey a message that it is more than willing to put money back into the sport in a big way for the benefit of the players.
V. V.S.
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