Budding hockey players will now have a new turf to hone their skills with the 11-year-old turf at Khalsa English High School in Bhowanipore being replaced. The inauguration of the new turf was marked by the start of the Tiger Turf Trophy tournament on July 28. Sports Hockey Academy Khalsa (Kolkata) won 5-1 against the Kolkata Police team
Photos: Krishnungshu Gangopadhyay
The inauguration was attended by Gurbux Singh, former India hockey player and coach; Manoj Tiwary, former India cricket and minister of state for sports and youth affairs; and MLA Debasish Kumar. To inaugurate the turf, the dignitaries picked up the sticks and took the first shot at the goal on the new turf
Gurbux Singh, who was part of the team that won India’s gold medal-winning hockey team in the 1964 Tokyo games and bronze at Mexico 1968, appreciated the effort to install a new turf. ‘I think that it’s very important that Khalsa High School has taken this initiative to install this new turf. So many players have practised here and represented Bengal and I hope and pray that this turf helps the next generation of players,’ said Singh, who coached India in the 1976 games
Manoj Tiwary was felicitated by Gurmeet Singh, president of Gurudwara Bara Sikh Sangat. The Gurudwara is the owner body of the three Khalsa Schools. ‘We have a very rich history in hockey in our school. Several Olympians have grown up playing in this school. With the cooperation of all the schools and our society, we wanted to give the players an astroturf at home. We have installed shock absorbers under the turf as well which will keep our players from getting knee and ankle injuries,’ Gurmeet Singh said
The programme also included a high-energy bhangra performance by the students of Khalsa who lit up the turf with their enthusiastic dance moves. The school in Bhowanipore also has a hockey academy called Sports Hockey Academy of Khalsa for girls and boys of different age groups. ‘The turf will benefit for our academy and school players when they need to make the transition to national and international standards,’ said Gurmeet Singh
Manoj Tiwary and Gurbux Singh exchanged a few passes. Speaking exclusively to My Kolkata, the former Indian cricket and former Bengal captain said, ‘I am very happy to be here. Khalsa School has a great history, not just in Bengal, but also those who have gone out from this school and represented India. It is a great initiative to bring this kind of sand-based turf to this school to give youngsters the opportunity and feel of a turf. It will greatly help the players and it will be up to the players to make the most of the opportunity.’
Leaving My Kolkata with a message for all young athletes from West Bengal, Manoj Tiwary said “There will be adversities in your progress, there will be people who will not back you and break your confidence, they will doubt you as a player. But even in these circumstances, whatever the conditions on and off the field you have to believe in yourself. Don’t expect anything from anyone. Work on your own game. If you can be your own teacher then you can gradually achieve your success. Nowadays, players get confused with lots of coaches giving their own ideas to make that individual grow quickly. Everything takes time, it is a slow process. That’s why it’s very important to be your own coach.’
