CHA, a stable of kabaddi players?

Deepankar Sharda 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 18

If not the hockey players, the Chandigarh Hockey Academy (CHA) is likely to produce kabaddi players in the future. Wondering why? The answer lies in their performance in the ongoing U-17 kabaddi tournament in the city.

About 10 girls from the academy represented Government Girls Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 18, during the ongoing championship. While they won their first match on Monday, they had to taste defeat today. 

Pertinently, based on their physical fitness and hockey skills, these players are inducted into the academy under a seven-year contract.

These girls were admitted to the academy in 2015 and are being prepared to represent the city and even the country at the highest level. Their participation in a local kabaddi tournament, therefore, raises questions as they might pick injuries during such events.      

Every year the UT Administration spends lakhs of rupees on each player’s training and prepares them to compete in various national and international events. 

“We are here just for fun. We also participated in the inter-school athletics championship, but playing kabaddi is just fun. We have participated in inter-school kabaddi championships in the past as well,” said one of the girls when asked about their participation in the tournament.  

When a group photograph of the players was sought, the teacher accompanying the team denied the permission. The teacher also refused to comment on the issue. 

When insisted upon, the teacher, while seeking anonymity, said: “I am just a sports teacher of the school. The teacher concerned has gone to the bank. Only she can provide you the details.” 

The head coach of the women’s hockey academy was also unavailable to comment on the issue.