When the national camp gets started in Rourkela on Monday, a group of 40 sub-junior men's hockey players will be given instruction to develop their talents by great midfielder Sardar Singh. In an effort to develop future potential, Hockey India recently assembled a 40-member men's sub-junior core squad for a national coaching camp. Former Indian captain Sardar has been named mentor and coach. The athletes were chosen based on their previous performances in the HI Sub-Junior National Championships and will train at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. International games will be played in Europe after the camp.
The camp, according to Sardar, was a fantastic idea to create a supply line for Indian hockey.
"The inception of the men's sub-junior core group stands as a pivotal moment in Hockey India's ongoing journey to elevate Indian hockey to international prominence. This initiative reflects HI's dedication to develop a dynamic pipeline of emerging talent, guaranteeing a prosperous future for men's hockey on the world stage," said Sardar in a Hockey India release.
The coach stated that in addition to emphasising player talent improvement, the camp would also focus on physical fitness and "mental resilience" building.
"The camp will provide an immersive experience for these young athletes. Rigorous training programs will focus on honing skills, enhancing physical fitness, refining tactical acumen, and bolstering mental resilience. I firmly believe that through providing these young athletes with premier coaching, cutting-edge facilities, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level, we have unwavering confidence in their capacity to excel and bring honour to our nation," he added.