Odisha's HPC for hockey to induct 30 boys, says state minister

High Performance Centre (HPC) for hockey in Odisha is set to induct 30 boys in coming months in its bid to take sport to elite level, state's Sports Minister Tushar Kanti Behera said on Friday.

It was decided following a promising start to girls program at Naval Tata Hockey Acemy Odisha. 

HPC is an ambitious program to take hockey from its existing 10 grassroots centres and three regional development centres (Bhubaneswar, Panposh and Sundergarh) to elite level over next 3 to 5 years. 

"We are seeing positive results in girls program and are confident that HPC will be able to provide similar focus and professional training to boys too. y all are young, skilful and have a natural flair for hockey," Behera said.

"We will evaluate players individually at HPC, and match ir skills with appropriate training at world-class facilities here in Bhubaneswar. 

"Training early at a syntic turf vis-a-vis grass pitches will benefit se players immensely," minister said.

state's Department of Sports and Youth Services also plans to set up a number of syntic turfs in identified locations at Sundergarh. 

"se are very constructive times for hockey in state and for youth of state. 

"Most of se young talents from Odisha are inspired by ir heroes in sport who hail from in and around ir region, including hockey legend Dilip Tirkey, Lazarus Barla, Birendra Lakra, Amit Rohidas to name a few," Behera said.

HPC at Naval Tata Hockey Acemy Odisha was launched by Odisha government in partnership with Tata Steel and Tata Trusts.