~Coaches of the 2 groups assess their performances within the event and share views on Hockey India’s position in Northeast’s hockey development~
Pune, twenty second March 2024: Within the heartland of Northeast India, the place lush inexperienced landscapes meet vibrant cultures, a silent revolution is brewing on the hockey fields. Manipur and Mizoram, two states synonymous with their wealthy traditions and picturesque terrains, have emerged because the torchbearers of hockey prowess within the area, showcasing their mettle within the 14th Hockey India Senior Girls’s Nationwide Championship.
The journey of Hockey Mizoram and Manipur Hockey within the ongoing marquee home championship has not solely been exceptional but additionally symbolic of the burgeoning progress of hockey within the Northeast area. Each groups, defying odds and expectations, reached the Quarter-Finals, reflecting the unwavering dedication and untapped potential that exists within the Northeastern states. This spirited efficiency has fostered a brand new period of hockey excellence within the area.
Hockey Mizoram’s marketing campaign was nothing in need of spectacular. Backed by spectacular performances from India striker Lalremsiami, Lalrinpuii and H Lalruatfeli, Mizoram registered emphatic victories over Himachal (10-0) and Rajasthan (20-2), to announce their arrival with authority. Nonetheless, it was their showdown towards Punjab that actually etched their identify within the annals of Indian hockey historical past. Towards all predictions, they punched above their weight and clinched a sensational 4-2 triumph towards Punjab, gorgeous the hockey fraternity and proving their prowess on the nationwide stage. Though they narrowly missed the semi-final berth, succumbing to a detailed 1-2 defeat towards final 12 months’s Bronze medallists Jharkhand, their journey was a testomony to resilience and talent.
“We have been assured in our skills. Regardless of being comparatively new to the nationwide stage, we believed in our group’s potential. Our gamers knew the importance of every match, particularly in securing a spot within the Quarter-Finals. Equally, we approached the sport towards Punjab with dedication, figuring out {that a} robust efficiency could lead on us to victory, and finally, our perception paid off as we emerged triumphant, shocking many with our tenacity and never-give-up spirit,” mentioned Mizoram Coach Lal Rothuami earlier than including, “The event served as a beneficial studying expertise for our group, offering us with insights into our strengths and areas for enchancment. Subsequent time we’ll purpose to a minimum of make it to the ultimate of the event.”
In the meantime, Manipur Hockey, that includes budding India stars Bichu Devi Kharibam, Suman Devi Thoudam and ably backed by Captain Lily Chanu Mayengbam, additionally left an indelible mark on the event with their stellar performances. Dominating their group stage encounters with commanding wins over Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu (12-0), Hockey Karnataka (3-0), and Uttarakhand (11-2), they showcased their dominance and tactical acumen. Regardless of a closely-fought battle towards Maharashtra within the Quarter-Finals, ending in a 2-1 loss, their journey was nothing lower than inspiring.
“Our journey on this event has been extremely rewarding. Coming from Manipur, our preliminary expectations have been modest, but reaching the Quarter-Finals stuffed us with immense pleasure and pleasure. It’s a major achievement for our group, contemplating the challenges we confronted as we didn’t get a lot time to apply as a group forward of the event. Whereas our Quarter-Remaining match highlighted areas for enchancment, it’s all a part of the educational course of. Trying forward, we purpose to push ourselves additional within the subsequent version of the event, constructing on the invaluable classes we’ve discovered,” mentioned Manipur Coach Ngangom Priya Chanu.
Crucially, the success of Manipur and Mizoram within the occasion underscores the pivotal position of grassroots growth packages initiated by Hockey India. Via concerted efforts to nurture expertise on the grassroots degree, Hockey India has laid the inspiration for a sustainable hockey tradition within the Northeast. These initiatives, coupled with specialised teaching programs for domestic-level coaches, have supplied a pathway for aspiring gamers to hone their abilities and compete on the highest ranges.
Talking on the identical, Ngangom Priya Chanu mentioned, “The event of hockey tradition within the Northeast has been exceptional, benefiting each gamers and fogeys alike. Because of initiatives like Hockey India’s grassroots packages, younger skills are nurtured from an early age, paving the best way for promising careers.”
“Additionally, the teaching programs supplied by Hockey India to us have been instrumental in shaping the panorama of hockey not solely in Manipur but additionally throughout the Northeast. These programs have empowered us with the newest strategies, methods, and methodologies important for nurturing younger skills and honing their abilities to compete at prime ranges. Additionally, they’ve facilitated networking, enabling us to share experiences and be taught from coaches nationwide. This alternate has enhanced our teaching skills and promoted camaraderie throughout the hockey group, resulting in improved teaching high quality and participant growth, in the end advancing hockey within the Northeast.”
The emergence of Manipur and Mizoram as hockey powerhouses serves as an inspiration for budding skills throughout the area, breaking stereotypes, and paving the best way for a brighter future within the sport. Furthermore, it highlights the transformative potential of sports activities in fostering social cohesion, gender equality, and regional growth.