FIH reveals 'Project Chak De' for promoting hockey in India: Hockey Update
In context with the joint efforts of Hockey India (HI) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH) for promoting the sport hockey in India, a recent project has been revealed by the FIH named as ‘Chak De’.
This name was given to the project on getting inspired by the Bollywood movie 'Chak De India' that was based on women hockey in India. This FIH initiative carries a number of international events for the country and will also allow the national players a
benefit to hold wild card entries into the top international competitions.
'Project Chak De' is aimed to cluster benefits from the huge Indian market that will result into the success of the upcoming World Cup in New Delhi. Moreover, the project disclosed by FIH has a long tenure of 2011 to 2014, in view of hosting the top-most
five international events on the Indian home soil. These events include the 2011 Champions Trophy, 2012 February Men’s and Women’s Olympic Qualifying round, 2013 Men’s and Women’s World Cups, 2013 Men’s World League Finals and the 2014 Women’s Champions Trophy.
FIH's Chief Executive Officer Kelly Fairweather said, "The idea behind the name for the project came from FIH's marketing manager Steven Morris. Its aim is to capture the passion the Indians have for their national game."
The FIH President Leandro Negre also shared the fact that hockey is the national game of India and this initiative has been taken to make it the sport’s heart for the next few years. There is a huge gap between cricket and hockey within the country and we
are intending to fill that up.
Negre also revealed that FIH is having discussions with HI to introduce a professional Indian hockey league. "FIH will only work with Hockey India which is the only body to run the game in India. It has been recognised by both FIH and the International Olympic
Committee," added Negre.
While speaking about the maiden World League Finals, Negre said that the event, which will pit countries against each other before they play of the final round in India, will help countries qualify for the upcoming World Cup. He further added that this year's
Champions Trophy, which is to be held between December 3 to 11, could be held in two cities in India.
Negre had no interest in the similar kind of league offered by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) and suggested that only HI holds the authority to decide what needs to be done with the players that shows interest in the IHF’s proposed league.
According to Negre, the 2011 Champions Trophy which is to be held in India from December 3-11 has a possibility to be held in two cities of the country.
Both the CEO and the President were on a week-long visit to India for discussing matters with the Indian hockey body.
Tags: