The razzmataz of the approaching Males’s Hockey World Cup has not touched distant Saunamara, the ancestral village of legendary participant Dilip Tirky, within the hinterland of Sundargarh, which is taken into account the cradle of the sport.
The curiosity in hockey is excessive among the many folks on this western Odisha village. A recreation right here includes not solely the youths, however senior residents too who use wornout sticks and even makeshift ones with enviable technical finesse. Requested in regards to the cause for the overwhelming reputation of the sport, a neighborhood stated, “It’s as a result of the sport is our tradition. Can you permit behind your tradition and develop and stay peacefully? Sundargarh and never Punjab is now referred to as the cradle of hockey in India.” The sport is rigourously practiced for the domestically well-liked khasi (goat) tournaments performed by native golf equipment. The identify is self-explanatory – the successful aspect wins the goat and the village afterward feasts on mutton.
He’s echoed by Amulya Kumar Bihari, a former state-level coach. “Sundergarh may by no means have change into a cradle with out hockey being within the genes of its folks and of their tradition. You possibly can’t separate hockey from the folks of Sundargarh such as you can’t separate soccer from the South America.” Florencia Ekka, a girl coach from Saunamara who now trains skills at Dhenakanal, shares the identical feeling.
“For us hockey is faith and a cultural apply. It’s within the blood of the folks of Sundergarh, of their minds and is a part of their each day exercise,” she stated.
Raju Saini, the coach at SAIL Hockey Academy who hails from Meerut, relates an amusing story to emphasize the purpose.
He recounts a marriage he had attended within the residence of certainly one of trainees the place a hockey match was performed between the households of the bride and groom and 4 dozen cocks have been stored as prize and was referred to as ‘Prem Bhoj (love feast)’. “I used to be shocked … I informed myself that it’s inconceivable for this place to not produce worldwide gamers in massive numbers constantly given the extent of penetration of hockey within the lives of its folks.” All of the coaches agreed that just a few frequent traits among the many tribals have earned Sundergarh the tag of a hockey cradle.
“They (the tribals) are decided and obidient by nature,” stated Bihari. “It’s not solely their lifestyle, they’re diligent too,” commented Ekka.
Saini stated the tribal hockey gamers completely abide by their coaches. “It’s one thing just like the age-old guru and sishya parampara.” He finds imprints of their dancing within the footwork for his or her defence and tackling types.
For Bihari their shut bonding helps in making good defenders.
The district has introduced the nation with numerous stars of the sport – Dilip Tirky, Lazarus Barla, Peter Tirky, the primary Odia tribal to characterize the nation within the junior nationwide workforce, Silanand Lakra, Amit Rohidas and Sudhir Chirmaku.
The checklist of ladies hockey stars from the district is spectacular too. The outstanding amongst them are Subhadra Pradha, Jyoti Sunita Kulu, a former ladies’s hockey workforce captain, Deepgrace Ekka, Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz.
Sociologist Samarendra Mohanty stated “Sundargarh is the cradle of Indian hockey as a result of the tribal gamers are persistent, obedient, are in a position to decide up the sport’s nuances rapidly and adapt to fashionable methods with elan. When so many issues are available a single bundle they naturally flourish.” Sundergarh has now surged forward of Sansarpur, Punjab and Coorg, which have been as soon as bastions of hockey, he claimed including the lure of first rate jobs due to their prowess has added to the curiosity of the tribals within the recreation.
Odisha has three academies for hockey, of which two are located in Sundergarh.
The state will host the Males’s Hockey World Cup January 13-29 and can be performed out in Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar and Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.
Picture: PTI
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