Former Indian hockey skipper Bharat Chhetri on Tuesday proposed to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to set up a hockey academy in the hills.
Chhetri, a resident of Kalimpong, met GTA chief executive Anit Thapa in Kurseong and urged necessary support to establish the academy under the jurisdiction of the hill body.
“There is no dearth of talents in the hills. Boys and girls have the potential to become good hockey players. We need to nurture their skills and provide proper guidance to them. An academy is required for this purpose,” Chhetri, an Olympian, said during his meeting with Thapa.
Chhetri represented the national hockey team as a goalkeeper in the London Olympics in 2012. The prestigious Dhyan Chand Award was conferred on him in 2008 for his contribution to sports.
The Bengal government awarded him Banga Ratna and Banga Bibhushan in 2016 and 2022, respectively. Chhetri also worked as a coach of both the men’s and women’s national teams for some time.
He had met Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb a few months ago and sought his help to set up a hockey academy in the plains.
After receiving the proposal for establishing the academy in the hills, Thapa spoke to officials of GTA departments concerned, said sources.
Thapa said in the future, the GTA might even think of forming its own hockey team.
