Revival of hockey on cards as newly laid synthetic pitch to function soon in Ernakulam

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The new synthetic hockey pitch at Maharajas College Campus in Ernakulam will be functional soon. The modern hockey facility is expected to rejuvenate the passion for Olympic discipline in the region again, people associated with hockey in the region told Mykhel. The Maharajas College Campus also has synthetic track, which was the venue for the just concluded 28th National Senior Federation Athletics Championships.

The final touches are being given to the hockey ground. The water sprinkling system will be tested next week, Jeffery Pinhero, hockey coach at Maharajas College said.

"Local people are passionate about hockey in Ernakulam. The modern facility will surely encourage youngsters to take up hockey in coming days," the hockey coach added.

Hockey had come to a standstill in Ernakulam because grassy ground within the college campus was under jurisdiction of Kochi Metro authority for more than a decade. After completion of the metro line adjoining the college campus in 2017, the grassy ground was not in good condition to play.

Former players and hockey coaches made efforts to revive hockey in the region and having a new hockey pitch was the best way to begin with. The budget was sanctioned under Cochin Smart Mission Limit, Pinhero revealed.

"It was a difficult phase for all those associated with hockey in Ernakulam as there was no ground to play," Pinhero explained. "The hockey players often sweated out at the uneven football ground. Or sometimes used one corner of the synthetic track within the premises of the college campus to play."

Maharajas College team have been one of the main contenders for men's hockey title during inter college meet, Pinhero, who has been coaching hockey at the college said. "At least five to seven players from Ernakulam also impressed the state team selectors for the national tournament," he added.

Sellen PT, former head of the sports department at Maharajas College was also excited about the newly laid hockey pitch in Ernakulam. "I'm sure the modern facility will encourage school and college going students to come forward and polish their skills," Sellen said.

In fact, Senior Players Association of Hockey of Kerala joined hands together to revive hockey in Ernakulam, Pinhero, who is also one of the members of the association said. "It was a challenging task to convince government officials that it is important to have artificial surface for the development of hockey in the region. Eventually the local authorities agreed to approve the budget under the Cochin Smart Mission Limit," the hockey coach said. "We are hopeful of better days as Ernakulum is one of the districts in Kerala that has passion for hockey."

Incidentally, India's retired star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh had no role to play in the pursuing the case of hockey turf in Ernakulam.

The Senior Players Association of Hockey that has as many as 89 members is also planning to have a hockey academy in Ernakulam. "Several members of the Senior Players Association of Hockey have agreed to support the academy," the college hockey coach said.