After myraid Covid woes, Hockey returns to the turf

The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams, based out of the Netaji Subhash Southern Centre in Bengaluru, have resumed their training after their practice was halted unprecedently due to the nationwide lockdown imposed by the authorities.

 The players are hopeful of returning to their best soon and are satisfied with the safety measures adopted at the centre. Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Indian men’s team captain Manpreet Singh said, “I tested positive and when I returned to training, we slowly started the procedures of getting back to play. The coaches have created a plan so that we gradually return to full momentum. I am really happy to be back practicing again.” 

Six players including Manpreet on their arrival at the camp after taking a break were found to be COVID positive. They were provided all assistance and proper care at the SAI center. They have recovered and have resumed training. Proactive steps have been taken at the SAI centre to prevent further outbreak. The players are happy with the safety protocols that have been ensured for them at the SAI center Bengaluru. “It feels good that we have started training after such a long time and we are slowly bringing our body back to the same level which allows us to train the way we used to earlier.

 Besides, we hope to return to our old form and rhythm in the next few months. But at the moment, it is important that we keep ourselves safe by following all protocols” said Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal. Indian men’s head coach Graham Reid said that the emphasis at the moment is on skill-based training focusing on individual basics which allows training to take place in small groups with social distancing. He added, “Using the SAI SOPs for various disciplines, we have been able to gradually increase the workload and intensity of the training to the point where we can have the majority of the squad up to pre-covid levels by the end of the next camp. This has been a slow and deliberate process designed to produce maximum output while minimizing the risk of injury.”