BHUBANESWAR 15-Feb-2014 226
Hockey found another promoter in Odisha with Stairs, a Delhi-based NGO, distributing 400 hockey sticks among players of rural areas of the state, under its flagship programme `Hockey for Growth` in a function here at a city hotel today.
State Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro launched the programme and handed over the sticks to representatives of top 10 teams of the Sundargarh District Rural Hockey Tournament. Organised by Dilip Tirkey Sports Research & Development Foundation last year, the tournament created a record with the participation of 482 teams.
Joketa won the title, defeating Thopeberna in the final. Salmanimunda, Patratoli, Karimati, Jharberna, Banikamunda, Jagda, Harirpur and Sialjor secured places among top 10 teams.
``Hockey for Growth aims to promote the sport among underprivileged youth across the country. Stairs has started the initiative from Odisha with the distribution of 400 hockey sticks. Under this programme one lakh hockey sticks will be distributed in the country,`` said Siddhartha Upadhyay, the found and general secretary of the NGO.
``The programme also envisages organisation of grassroots-level tournaments, selection of players for scholarship and felicitation. Stairs has joined hands with Hockey Gangpur (Odisha) to promote hockey in the tribal and rural belts of the state,`` he added.
Hockey Olympian William Xalxo, ace woman hurdler Anuradha Biswal and former India woman football captain Sradhanjali Samantaray were felicitated in the function. Rajya Sabha Member and former India hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, who is also an adviser of Stairs spoke on the occasion along with State Sports Department Secretary Saswat Mishra and former Assistant Sports Director Ashok Mohanty.
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PHOTO: Revenue Minister S N Patro (Centre) hands over hockey sticks to rural players in Bhubaneswar on February 15, 2014.
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