PAU hockey facility witnesses underutilisation

Ludhiana, August 22

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, established in 1962 was created from the Government College and Research Institute (GCRI). The university is the nation’s third oldest agricultural university, after Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pant Nagar, and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneshwar. The university was set up with the aim to bring significant improvements in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding, dairy, etc, and the PAU pioneered the Green Revolution in the country in 1960s besides making notable contributions in increasing livestock and poultry production in the state.

Besides, the PAU has a rich history of producing talented hockey players who have represented India and excelled in national-level tournaments. The university’s strong focus on sports, particularly hockey, has enabled students to hone their skills and pursue successful careers in the sport.

Two students of Agriculture College (Government College and Research Institute), Charanjit Singh and Prithipal Singh, represented India in the Olympics in the 60s. Charanjit played in the 1960 Rome Olympics where the team secured the silver medal and in 1964 in the Tokyo Olympics where he captained the squad which won the gold.

Prithipal represented India in three consecutive Olympics — Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964) and captained the team in Mexico (1968). India bagged the bronze in Mexico.

Both these hockey stars were decorated with the Padma Shri while Prithipal Singh was also honoured with the Arjuna award. Charanjit was appointed Deputy Director Students’ Welfare, PAU, Ludhiana, and Prithipal was posted at the same designation at the university’s erstwhile Hisar campus.

Other notable hockey players from the PAU, include Rajwinder Singh (first World Cup at Barcelona, Spain, in 1971); Lata Mahajan (first Women World Cup at Mandelieu, France, in 1974); Ramandeep Singh (active between 1994 to 2000, World Cup at Norway, Asian Games and Olympics at Atlanta and Sydney, respectively) and Yadwinder Singh (Junior Asia Cup at Malaysia).

Furthermore, more than three dozen players of the PAU represented India’s Combined Universities Hockey team between1971 to 2006 and also played international-level matches. The PAU hockey team finished on the podium on five occasions in the All India Inter-Varsity Tournaments.

The university’s emphasis on sports infrastructure, coaching and training created a favourable environment for students to excel in hockey and other sporting disciplines. An AstroTurf was installed on the campus in 1999 in collaboration with the Punjab Sports Directorate. A new surface was installed in 2011 so that more players could be nurtured for future competitions.

A large number of budding players used to visit the hockey ground and it was a popular destination for both amateur and professionals. The facility supported various hockey events, training sessions, was venue for India hockey team’s training camp twice and informal games, making it a central venue for the local and regional hockey community.

However, the ground has recently experienced a significant decline in player attendance. The once-active ground is now relatively quiet, with only a handful of players regularly utilising the facility.

At present, trainees of Malwa Hockey Academy, run by the Punjab Sports Department, some students from PAU, Government Girls College and Khalsa College for Women are seen receiving training at the facility.

Shifts in sporting preferences among younger players and the increased popularity of other games, such as cricket, basketball and football might have led to a decline in the popularity of hockey. To revive the game and attract the youth, a comprehensive marketing strategy is required.

To turn the tide, authorities concerned must organise local tournaments — a district championship was organised earlier this year after a gap of two decades — on a regular basis, hold training camps and events to attract players and spectators, partner with local hockey clubs and associations to facilitate the events and increase the ground’s utilisation.