Plans underway to improve standard of hockey

By Leslie Fernando

HOCKEY: It is the plain truth that the standard of hockey in Sri Lanka has hit a new low. This sport, one of the most popular decades ago, will be improved once again as Sri Lanka Hockey Federation has drawn up a format for greater development of the game said Sumith Edirisinghe President of SLHF in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer.

Hockey chief Edirisinghe explained that Sri Lanka occupied the third slot, behind India and Pakistan in the asian region hockey a few years ago. SLHF main aim will be to implement new program for the uplift of the game.

"One of the major reasons for this is the lack of interest among the youth for the game. The educational institutions used to be the fountain head of talent in my time, said Edirisinghe. But it is no longer so. Cricket fascinates the youngsters at school more these days. There is more glamour in cricket, more publicity and more money in cricket. So, today's youth is going out for cricket not hockey.

Edirisinghe, who was appointed as a Council Member of the Asian Hockey Federation recently, confirmed that with the great support of AHF a reputed coach from India, Sathis Singh, a former Olympic player will coach 'stickers', come late January 2009 in preparation for the South Asian Games to be held in Bangladesh.

SLHF has decided to first conduct trials in Matale in the second week in December (as the Astro Sports Complex at Reid Avenue is being renovated).

National level players from affiliated clubs will be invited and the best 30 players will be selected to undergo training.

As in the past, we have made arrangements for our stickers, both senior and junior teams to play against the State Teams of India to get much needed foreign exposure.

In early January, men's and women's open inter-club hockey tournaments will be conducted. The men's matches will be played in Matale, Kandy, Police Park, Bambalapitiya. The women's tournament will be worked off at the Sangamitta BV grounds in Galle.

"The biggest worry is Astro Turfs. Playing on Astro Turf is quick and fast but not on grass grounds. The SLHF has requested the Sports Ministry, Provincial Councils to provide a Astro Turf in each province. This is a long-felt need to improve the game.

SLHF will support the Sri Lanka Schools Hockey Association in conducting under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 age category district schools competitions. Senior and junior pools are to be formed in each province with practice sessions during weekends with trained coaches and players in charge added Edirisinghe.

The SLHF have decided to hold coaching camps for coaches and school teachers in each province. Series of exhibition matches amongst national standard players will be arranged and film shows on hockey are to be staged throughout the island.

A permanent junior pool to serve as a nursery with practice sessions during the weekends will be arranged.