It was dream come true for the 150-odd local boys as they had the rare opportunity of learning the latest European techniques from Shiv Jagday, Hockey Academy Coach, International Hockey Federation (FIH), here on Sunday.
Mr. Jagday, who visited Chennai to coach coaches and physical education teachers from across Tamil Nadu from December 20 to 24, paid a two-day visit here. He taught the latest techniques to the boys in the age group of 8 to 14 years, and 15 to 18 years at the Astro Turf hockey stadium at Seethakathi Sethupathi Sports Stadium complex on Saturday and Sunday.
Accompanied by former Olympian V.J. Philipps, Mr. Jagday focussed on all aspects of the game, from development of basic skills to the latest techniques adopted in turf courts, A. Chelladurai Abdullah, president of Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, and secretary of District Hockey Association, said.
The court had been laid to international standards and had all the facilities to host international matches, Mr. Abdullah quoted Mr. Jagday as saying.
Mr. Jagday assured the association that he would recommend to Narinda Batra, president, Hockey India, to host Junior World Cup, scheduled for December next year, at the newly laid stadium. “To begin with, you host Junior World Cup before hosting other international matches,” he told Mr. Abdullah.
“Mr. Jagday and Mr. Philipps were very impressed with the facilities and the interest shown by the boys and spent the two days with the boys, cutting short their sightseeing programmes,” Kizhavan Sethupathy, joint secretary of the association, said.
Mr. Jagday taught the boys 50 techniques, Mr. Abdullah said.
Mr. Phillip, who had played for the country for 12 years, said, “The stadium brought back memories of my matches played in Holland and Germany,” he told The Hindu .
The boys were very talented and had excellent grasping power, he said.
The two-day coaching was extremely useful, said K. Sudhakar, a second-year engineering student, playing for the district team.
