Ex-Olympians boost confidence of youngsters ahead of nationals
For youngsters having former greats, including Olympians, around them at a training session have always been great as they get a chance to learn from them.
This was exactly the scene on Wednesday evening when former India captain and Olympian Rajneesh Mishra and four others, including another Olympian Imran-Ul-Haq, Mohinder Singh Bora, Vijai Singh and Neelam Siddiqui let the youngsters know the demand of the game of hockey in current scenario. In all, 152 players turned up for the two-day trials.
The occasion was to short list 25 probables for the state camp at the Padmashree Mohd Shahid Astro Turf Stadium at Vijayant Khand Stadium on Wednesday.
“UP hockey, especially subjunior and junior, is on the rise. We can hope of doing well this time too,” selector Rajneesh Mishra told HT.
“Our juniors have already made it to the quarterfinals of the ongoing nationals at Bhopal and the team’s performance is a boost to the sub-juniors,” he said. “UP had won sub-juniors in mid-90s and time has come when our present team members should chase the dream again,” he added.
He, however, hailed the availability of an astro turf within the city limit as he finds it as a big help to the youngsters.
“We used to play on grass but it is time for turf. Having a turf within the reach for everyone is good for the game in the state,” said Mishra, who was the loan selector of the Hockey India at the recently concluded Junior Nationals ‘B’ Division matches in Bhopal.
“Picking up quality youngsters means you are spotting the talent for future India. I found that many youngsters were good enough to make it to the Indian squad in near future,” he said.
Uttar Pradesh have been drafted in Pool B along with teams like Manipur, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Bihar at the Bengaluru Sub-Junior Nationals ‘A’ Division, beginning May 10.
THE OCCASION WAS TO SHORT LIST 25 PROBABLES FOR THE STATE CAMP AT THE PADMASHREE MOHD SHAHID ASTRO TURF STADIUM AT VIJAYANT KHAND STADIUM ON WEDNESDAY