Former India Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri Praises Hockey India’s Emphasis on Nurturing Drag-Flickers and Goalkeepers

Former India goalkeeper Bharat Chetri has lauded Hockey India for their focus on developing drag-flickers and goalkeepers at the grassroots level. Chetri, along with other former India goalkeepers and drag-flickers, has been selected to lead training sessions at national academies across the country.

The trainers for these sessions include Adrian D’Souza, Yogita Bali, Helen Mary, Dipika Murty, Akash Chikte, and PT Rao. Among the drag-flickers participating are Rupinder Pal Singh, Gurjinder Singh, VR Raghunath, and Jaspreet Kaur.

Chetri emphasized the importance of investing in grassroots development for the future of Indian hockey. He believes that by providing specialized training for goalkeepers and drag-flickers, Hockey India is setting a strong foundation for the emergence of world-class talent in these crucial roles.

The introduction of the National Women’s Hockey League by Hockey India is another significant step towards promoting the sport. Teams from Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Mizoram, Manipur, and Odisha will participate in the inaugural edition of the league for the 2024-25 season.

The league will be held in two phases, with the first phase scheduled to take place in Ranchi from April 30 to May 9. Chetri commended this initiative, stating that the National Women’s Hockey League represents a pivotal moment for the sport in India. He believes that by providing a competitive platform for women athletes at the domestic level, Hockey India is empowering the next generation of hockey stars and fostering a culture of excellence.

Overall, Chetri is optimistic about the future of Indian hockey and is confident that these initiatives will inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams in the sport.