Sr Nationals not given up, IHF to set up centre of excellence

Chennai, Aug 17 (UNI) Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) President KPS Gill today said the IHF has not abandoned the senior national championship for the Rangaswamy Cup as is being 'feared'.

Addressing a press conference here to announce the Indian teams for the senior World Cup and the SAF Games in Colombo, they said there has been a gap. But we shall be having the national championship.

''But the calendar for this year is full,'' Gill observed.

''Still, we will have the nationals,'' they added.

Mr Gill also announced that the national hockey league would be extended over two phases from the next season.

Mr Gill also announced that the IHF will set up a Centre of excellence to foster talent. ''This will be for talented boys selected from various academies in he country,'' he added.

Mr Gill said the idea was still in the formative stage. ''But we hope to make it,'' he averred.

Asked how the junior talent in the country has been shaping up he said, ''we are satisfied with the development team. Their performance has been encouraging.'' He said the same was the case with the under-18 team. ''Many of the boys in this age group who are actually 16 years old, have lot of potential,'' he said.

''Some of these boys could be in the team for the 2009 junior world cup and some in the development team could figure in the team for the future Olympic Games team,'' he hoped.

UNI VV DH DB1839