IHF's Youth Development Programme

Bhopal, Apr 30 (UNI) In a bid to resurrect hockey in the country, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has commenced 'Youth Development Programme'.

Under the programme, 40-50 players, in the age group of 16-18 from all six zones -- South, North, East, West, Central and North East -- in the country will be selected after rigorous screening and selection process.

Coaching and training will be imparted to this select group of players for four years who will form the core of the team, which would participate in the Junior World Cup in 2009 and the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Central Zone Convenor Aslam Sher Khan told reporters here today selection of players for this zone would be held on May 12 and 13 at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre at Bishankhedi Goragaon near Bhopal.

He said around 15-20 players from each of the five hockey associations -- Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Bharat, Bhopal, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha -- would be present.

He would then select 20-25 players from the central zone and will send them to the IHF.

Mr Khan hoped that continuous training to final group of players for three-four years will help to bring back the golden period of Indian hockey.

The trials to select the final 40-50 players will conclude on May 20. They will be given a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000.

Besides, 80-100 more players would be short-listed during the selection procedure for periodic camps for creating broader hockey base at the grass-root level.

UNI