News for 18 April 2017
All the news for Tuesday 18 April 2017
Wimbledon and HC Oranje-Rood join EHL FINAL4 party
Wimbledon and HC Oranje-Rood completed the FINAL4 line-up for June 2017 in Antwerp as they won through their KO8 games against Mannheimer HC and Atlètic Terrassa to close out a cracking Easter weekend in Eindhoven.
It was another sold out stadium, the second in four days, and they were treated to a pair of close-run affairs.
In the first tie, Wimbledon became the first English side to reach the FINAL4 since Reading in 2011 as they beat Mannheimer HC in a shoot-out 5-3 after normal time had ended 2-2.
It continues their incredible journey from the second tier of the English league structure to back-to-back national titles and now a place in the EHL FINAL4 in Dragons on June 3 and 4.
In this tie, Mannheimer drew first blood, breaking the deadlock when Gonzalo Peillat scored his first goal of the weekend with a low rocket of a corner in the 13th minute. They made the best of the opening quarter but Wimbledon roared back into contention in the second quarter, swapping around the advantage.
Simon Mantell equalised from the penalty spot after Phil Ball’s initial shot hit Patrick Harris’s body en route to the goal – after a video review, it was adjudged to have been going toward goal and not wide as initially thought.
Just a minute later, Phil Roper – the KO16 hero – stormed forward from midfield and picked out Ian Sloan on the left of the circle. He worked the ball onto his open side and aimed to cross for the two Wimbledon players waiting at the right post but a Mannheimer defender got their first and he turned the ball in by Jan-Philipp Fischer.
John Kinder almost stole in for an improbable third goal when he almost robbed the ball from around the back of goalkeeper Andreas Spack and they also held on in the closing quarter as Danny Nguyen saved off the line from a Simon Mantell corner flick.
Those saves proved key as Mannheimer fought back and were level at 2-2 with five minutes to go when Jonathan Ehling got on the end of a crash ball from Thomas Prochazka into the circle.
But Wimbledon produced a perfect five from five in the shoot-out before James Bailey kept out Maximilian Neumann in the third round to carry the day.
They will go on to play Oranje-Rood after the Dutch side showed their class to see off Atlètic Terrassa and reach the EHL’s FINAL4 as they, once again, delighted a sold out crowd in Eindhoven to earn their place in Antwerp in June.
Dani Martin’s Atlètic did start the better, winning a couple of early penalty corners, both of which were blocked by Pirmin Blaak in the first five minutes.
But, from there, Oranje-Rood began to show their power and they went ahead from a corner of their own which Mink van der Weerden rocketed into the goal in the 13th minute.
They went close numerous times in the second quarter for further goals with Bob de Voogd just missing out from a close range deflection from Agustin Mazzilli’s through pass.
Jelle Galema went near a couple of times, too, but just the single goal remained in the difference at the break. Galema won a corner early in the second half that was mistrapped but the second goal eventually came in the 35th minute from a brilliant team move.
A ball out of defence found Rob van der Horst who beat a couple before picking out Niek van der Schoot. His ball located Bob de Voogd moving left of the circle and, on the run, he unleashed a brilliant shot across Marc Calzada and in off the inside of the post.
From there, Oranje-Rood pulled out plenty of tricks and skills to delight the crowd but no further goals as Bram Huijbregts drew an amazing save from Calzada while de Voogd missed a sitter in the closing seconds.
Atlètic could not make any inroads and the job was done on the field as efficiently as off the field and Oranje Rood progress to a date with Wimbledon in the FINAL4.
They join KHC Dragons in Antwerp on June 3 and 4. The Belgian hosts will meet Rot-Weiss Köln in the other semi-final encounter with a new name already guaranteed to be on the famous Alain Danet Trophy.
Tickets for the FINAL4 are already on sale at www.ehlhockey.tv/tickets for a 5,000 capacity stadium in Brasschaat for what promises to be the perfect end to a wonderful tenth EHL season.
HL 2016-2017 KO16 and KO8, 14-17 April 2017 at HC Oranje-Rood, Eindhoven (NED)
Friday 14 April
M1: Banbridge HC 1 (M Allister) Racing Club de France 1 C Peters-Deutz), Racing win 3-0 on shoot-out
M2: WKS Grunwald Poznan 0 Real Club de Polo 6 (A Casasayas 3, D Alegre 2, A Reyne)
M3: KHC Dragons 2 (T Verheijen, T Briels) Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles 1 (J Truyens)
M4: SV Kampong 1 (Q Caspers) KHTC Rot-Weiss Koln 2 (M Grambusch, J Gomoll)
Saturday 15 April
M5: Atletic Terrassa 4 (R Oliva 3, M Bolto) Lisnagarvey HC 1 (S Murray)
M6: Wimbledon 3 (P Roper 2, B Arnold) UHC Hamburg 1 (J Schmid)
M7: HC Oranje-Rood 3 (A Mazzilli 2, M van der Weerden) AHBC Amsterdam 2 (B Burkhardt, J Reid-Ross)
M8: Mannheimer HC 2 (G Barreiros, F Schües) Club Egara 1 (P Quemada)
Sunday 16 April
M9: KHC Dragons 5 (T Briels 2, A Hendrickx 2, F van Aubel) Racing Club de France 1 (C Peters-Deutz)
M10: Real Club de Polo 1 (G Coll) KHTC Rot-Weiss Köln 2 (C Zeller, M Miltkau)
Monday 17 April
M11: Wimbledon 2 (S Mantell, I Sloan) Mannheimer HC 2 (G Peillat, J Ehling), Wimbledon win 5-3 on shoot-out
M12: HC Oranje-Rood 2 (M van der Weerden, B de Voogd) Atletic Terrassa 0
Event website: http://ehlhockey.tv/
Match schedule: http://ehlhockey.tv/season/20162017/
Tickets: http://ehlhockey.tv/tickets/
Social media
Twitter: @ehlhockeytv
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Hashtag: #EHL
Euro Hockey League media release
Oranje-Rood too strong for Atlètic as they book FINAL4 ticket
HC Oranje-Rood showed their class to see off Atlètic Terrassa and reach the EHL’s FINAL4 as they, once again, delighted a sold out crowd in Eindhoven to earn their place in Antwerp in June.
Dani Martin’s Atlètic did start the better, winning a couple of early penalty corners, both of which were blocked by Pirmin Blaak in the first five minutes.
But, from there, Oranje-Rood began to show their power and they went ahead from a corner of their own which Mink van der Weerden rocketed into the goal in the 13th minute.
They went close numerous times in the second quarter for further goals with Bob de Voogd just missing out from a close range deflection from Agustin Mazzilli’s through pass.
Jelle Galema went near a couple of times, too, but just the single goal remained in the difference at the break. Galema won a corner early in the second half that was mistrapped but the second goal eventually came in the 35th minute from a brilliant team move.
A ball out of defence found Rob van der Horst who beat a couple before picking out Niek van der Schoot. His ball located Bob de Voogd moving left of the circle and, on the run, he unleashed a brilliant shot across Marc Calzada and in off the inside of the post.
From there, Oranje-Rood pulled out plenty of tricks and skills to delight the crowd but no further goals as Bram Huijbregts drew an amazing save from Calzada while de Voogd missed a sitter in the closing seconds.
Atlètic could not make any inroads and the job was done on the field as efficiently as off the field and Oranje Rood progress to a date with Wimbledon in the FINAL4.
KO8: HC Oranje-Rood 2 (M van der Weerden, B de Voogd) Atlètic Terrassa 0
Euro Hockey League media release
Wimbledon soar into EHL FINAL4 with shoot-win over Mannheimer
Wimbledon became the first English side to reach the FINAL4 since Reading in 2011 as they beat Mannheimer HC in a shoot-out 5-3 after normal time had ended 2-2.
It continues their incredible journey from the second tier of the English league structure to back-to-back national titles and now a place in the EHL FINAL4 in Dragons on June 3 and 4.
In this tie, Mannheimer drew first blood, breaking the deadlock when Gonzalo Peillat scored his first goal of the weekend with a low rocket of a corner in the 13th minute. They made the best of the opening quarter but Wimbledon roared back into contention in the second quarter, swapping around the advantage.
Simon Mantell equalised from the penalty spot after Phil Ball’s initial shot hit Patrick Harris’s body en route to the goal – after a video review, it was adjudged to have been going toward goal and not wide as initially thought.
Just a minute later, Phil Roper – the KO16 hero – stormed forward from midfield and picked out Ian Sloan on the left of the circle. He worked the ball onto his open side and aimed to cross for the two Wimbledon players waiting at the right post but a Mannheimer defender got their first and he turned the ball in by Jan-Philipp Fischer.
John Kinder almost stole in for an improbable third goal when he almost robbed the ball from around the back of goalkeeper Andreas Spack and they also held on in the closing quarter as Danny Nguyen saved off the line from a Simon Mantell corner flick.
Those saves proved key as Mannheimer fought back and were level at 2-2 with five minutes to go when Jonathan Ehling got on the end of a crash ball from Thomas Prochazka into the circle.
But Wimbledon produced a perfect five from five in the shoot-out before James Bailey kept out Maximilian Neumann in the third round to carry the day.
KO8: Wimbledon 2 (S Mantell, I Sloan) Mannheimer HC 2 (G Peillat, J Ehling), Wimbledon win the shoot-out 5-3
Euro Hockey League media release
Wimbledon reach the final four of the Euro Hockey League
Wimbledon keeper James Bailey
Wimbledon reached the final four of the Euro Hockey League in dramatic fashion, winning a shootout with Mannheimer 5-3 after the match ended 2-2 at the end of normal time in Eindhoven on Easter Monday.
Regular time goals came from Simon Mantell and Ian Sloan, while shootout goals were from Ian Sloan, Stefan Ebbers, Phil Roper, Simon Mantell and Phil Ball. Goalkeeper James Bailey (pictured) saved two of Mannheimer's shootout attempts.
“We came here this weekend with a real belief,” said Wimbledon’s man of the match Jonny Kinder. “We didn’t think we were favourites, but we had a clear game plan and everybody executed it which is fantastic.
“We’ve got so many players capable of doing very special things, but this was a team performance and everyone contributed. Reaching the final four is new territory for us, and we’re really proud.”
After Phil Ball had a penalty corner shot deflected over the goal on four minutes, it was the German outfit who drew first blood after 13 minutes, Gonzalo Peillat scoring from a penalty corner.
And they nearly doubled their lead in similar style on 26 minutes, but their shot was blocked by the Wimbledon defence.
Wimbledon were beginning to turn their patience into productivity, and they threatened on 26 minutes with two long corners being awarded.
Then on 28 minutes, Phil Ball’s shot was blocked by a defender, and the video umpire judged that his original shot was heading goalwards, so a penalty stroke was awarded which double GB Olympian Simon Mantell blasted into the net, despite the Mannheimer goalkeeper getting to the ball.
Now level at 1-1, Wimbledon took the lead on 29 minutes through Ian Sloan. Phil Roper made a surging run and out-paced several Mannheimer defenders, before Sloan pulled back the ball across goal, where a defender put it in the net.
After half time, the third quarter saw both teams trying to control the pace, and the best chance for Wimbledon came as Jonny Kinder just got a stick to a long cross from outside the D, but he couldn’t put it in the net despite being behind the goalkeeper and only a matter of inches from the line.
The fourth quarter began in controversial style, with Michael Hoare conceding a penalty corner on 48 minutes, and an unsuccessful video referral caused Wimbledon to lose that privilege for the rest of the game.
The resulting penalty corner was fired high over the net, but Mannheimer had stepped up a gear and began to enjoy more of the ball.
Both sides enjoyed several chances as Mannheimer pushed for an equaliser and Wimbledon looked to capitalise on any cracks as their rivals pushed forward, and the English side had a 51st minute penalty corner deflected away by the goalkeeper.
A defensive lapse from Wimbledon on 55 minutes came at the worst possible time, as a cross from outside the D was deflected home by Jonathan Ehling with little in the way of defence.
With five minutes left, both sides pushed on in a bid to avoid a shootout, but neither goal keeper was troubled in the final five minutes.
In the shootout, Ian Sloan scored the opening shot, but Mannheimer equalised after Jan Philipp Fischer’s first attempt was retaken after a rebound off the post hit the back of James Bailey’s stick.
Stefan Ebbers span round and scored past Spack in the Mannheimer goal to leave Wimbledon 2-1 ahead, but Patrick Harris levelled for the Germans.
Phil Roper confidently made it 3-2, and James Bailey battled well to deny Mannheimer an equaliser.
Simon Mantell’s reverse stick shot just as time ran down put Wimbledon 4-2 ahead, and although Guido Barreiros narrowed the gap to 4-3, Phil Ball scored the crucial fifth goal and sparked celebrations for Wimbledon.
Wimbledon 2 (2)
Mannheimer 2 (1)
Wimbledon win 5-3 in a shootout
England Hockey Board Media release
Kampong retain ABN AMRO Junior EHL
Kiet Lukassen’s hat-trick fired SV Kampong’s Under-14 side to a second successive ABN AMRO Junior EHL title as they proved too strong for Mannheimer HC in the final.
Mats Gruter opened the scoring in the final with a rocket of a backhand shot for 1-0. And, in a fine opening spell, Lukassen made it two from a close range rebound to extend the advantage.
The Utrecht side did not have it all their own way as Storm van Dalen made a couple of big saves. Lukassen got the third soon after with a great deflection on the run for a 3-0 half-time advantage.
Mannheim fought back in the second half with Valentin Bens going close before Philipp Loscher got the German side on the board with a penalty corner rebound with 15 minutes to go.
But Lukassen got another fine goal, spinning and finishing from mid-circle to make it 4-1. Bens was within inches of pulling one back when his brilliant reverse strike hit the base of the post but Kampong were well clear and took the title.
Speaking afterwards, Lukassen said it was an “amazing” experience to be part of. He was one of half of his side who won the title a year ago in the Wagenar Stadium.
Earlier in the day, Real Club de Polo won 3-0 against Saint Germain to claim the third place medal while KHC Dragons ended fifth courtesy of a shoot-out win over Wimbledon.
Monday 17 April
5/6: Wimbledon 0 KHC Dragons 0, Dragons win 2-1 on shoot-out
3/4: Saint Germain 0 Real Club de Polo 3
Final: JEHL Mannheimer 1 SV Kampong 4
Euro Hockey League media release
Australian Country teams continue tour of Hong Kong
Visit St Marks School
Holly MacNeil
The Country Teams’ tour of Hong Kong featured two games at Happy Valley, site of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racecourse. A most spectacular venue, it hosted two fixtures this week.
The first round was against the Hong Kong Cricket Club hockey section and both Wattles and Venom enjoyed successful results. Both teams have come together well given that they do not play or train together until they arrive ‘in-country’ on tour. The teams are showcasing Australian Country Hockey and being well received by their hosts.
The return to Happy Valley the following night for a fixture against the Hong Kong Football Club was an eagerly awaited re-match from when the Wattles and Venom were in Hong Kong in 2013 when the Aussies went home with the prizes. The Wattles were victorious in a fast and skilful game against the local expats and maintain an unbeaten record on tour.
The men’s game was a hard-fought match reflecting the intent and commitment of both teams. The locals made the most of their opportunities in a match that could have gone either way, and eventually saw the locals finish on top.
Following these games, and as part of the 165th Year Celebrations, St Mark’s College, Hong Kong, hosted a visit by representatives of the Country teams for an exhibition match and coaching session at the College.
The excitement amongst the students was amazing as they welcome the ‘Aussie’ team with great applause and enthusiasm. A 6-a-sde game played in the courtyard was the showpiece of a day that has proved to be a tour highlight. The atmosphere was electric hundreds of student watching on from the balconies of four floors of classrooms.
Hockey is a growing sport within the school and the teams were assured that the visit did much to enhance the standing of the sport within the school community. Follow up visits to St Paul’s are on the itinerary for future tours into Hong Kong.
Hockey Australia media release
Butali Sugar Warriors’ vengeance
Sliders' June Kangogo (right) battles with Vikings' Naomy Syombua during their Kenya Hockey Union women's Premier League match on April 17, 2017 at City Park Stadium. Vikings won 2-1. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Butali Sugar Warriors recorded an impressive 3-1 win over champions Strathmore University Gladiators in a Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League match played over the weekend at City Park Stadium.
Returnees Frank Wanangwe and Barnabas Odhiambo, marked their first starts of the season with a goal each, while former Gladiators player Constance Wakhura scored against his former employers. Festus Onyango accounted for the students’ consolation goal.
The win handed Butali sweet revenge after they lost their title to the students last December losing 3-0 on post-match penalties in the play-off final.
The defeat was the second in a row for the Meshack Senge-led Gladiators, after they went down 3-2 to Kenyatta University (KU) Vultures on Saturday.
For Butali coach Godfrey Wakachunga, the win was a perfect Easter gift having not played for close to a month.
“It is always a delight beating the champions because this gives us a psychological advantage in the title race. We were better, fitter and did not allow them to settle in the game,” the tactician told Nation Sport.
Senge was livid with his team’s lapses in concentration demanding for a response in the coming matches.
“Two matches and losing both is totally unexpected from a team that is hoping to defend the title. We were totally outplayed in both games and we need reaction in the next match,” Senge said.
After a cagey, opening quarter, defender Wakhura returned to haunt his former team converting Brian Musasia’s 17th minute penalty corner.
DANGER MAN
Wanangwe, making his first start after recovering from a knee injury, doubled Butali Sugar’s lead in the 36th minute before the students’ danger man Festus Onyango scored his third goal in two games in the 41st minute to make it 2-1.
Odhiambo, who was also returning from a knee injury, came off the bench to increase Butali Sugar’s lead in the 51st minute sending a brilliant strike past Gladiators keeper Simon Odhiambo.
Both sides missed chances in the final five minutes as Butali held on to the lead to seal their second win of the new campaign.
In another men’s Premier League encounter, Kenyatta University wrapped up a successful Easter outing with a 1-0 win over Parkroad Badgers.
Captain Lawrence Makhatsa scored the winner in the 48th minute to give the students the three points. In Monday's matches, a wasteful Amira Sailors were held to 0-0 draw by battling Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in a women’s Premier League encounter at City Park.
Valiant Vikings upset Sliders 2-1 in another women’s encounter.
Daily Nation
Wananchi teams triumph at Ugandan Easter Hockey Tournament
by Marion Malinga
Wananchi clubs once again showed why they are currently second to none in Ugandan hockey as they both triumphed at the Easter Hockey Tournament held at the National Hockey Stadium, Lugogo in their respective categories.
In a repeat of last year’s final, Wananchi (Men) beat defending champions Kampala Hockey Club Stallions 2-1 in the final reigning MVP Innocent Mbabali decided. Mbabali scored both goals as Wananchi avenged last year’s loss.
Like their male counterparts, Wananchi (Women) couldn’t allow a repeat of last year when they lost the final to Kenyan side United States International University (USIU). The reigning league champions edged Weatherhead Gazelles 2-1, with Doreen Mbabazi scoring both goals for Wananchi while Siddy Alum got on the score sheet for her side.
It was a statement of intent from both Wananchi sides, and they will be looking to defend their respective league titles when the league kicks off in May.
St Mary’s College Kisubi and Gayaza High School took home the trophies in the Boys and Girls categories respectively.
Kawowo
Sparks will fly as champions square off early in MJHL
by S. Ramaguru
KUALA LUMPUR: It will be a clash of champions when Thunderbolts outfits – Tengku Mahkota Ismail Sport School (SSTMI) and Bukit Jalil Sport School (BJSS) – square up in the Division One of the Malaysian Junior Hockey League.
Both teams opened their campaign on Sunday and the early clash will likely ensure the pacesetters for the rest of the season.
Last year, SSTMI won the league title and defeated BJSS in the preliminary round.
But in the overall final, BJSS exacted revenge to regain the title.
SSTMI coach Wan Roslan Wan Abdullah said playing BJSS early has its benefits but added that they may not be ready for a crunch match just yet.
“Take the first match on Sunday, we won but my players struggled, said Wan Roslan.
“Seven of them were with the Malaysian team for the Asian Schools Championships in India and came home a day prior to the match.
“Naturally we didn’t performed well and after a day’s rest we are facing a tough outfit. We are a bit concerned.”
SSTMI defeated BJSS Juniors 4-1 while BJSS whitewashed UniKL 4-0 on Sunday.
The league champions will miss the services of defender Syarman Mat Tee who sustained a wrist injury during the Asian schools meet.
“Although it is not a fracture, the wrist is swollen and we do not want to take any risk.
“I’m sure we will manage without him for now,” he added.
Syarman was named the best player of the tournament in the Indian meet held last month.
The Star of Malaysia
'Terrifying' fall led to international hockey career
Katie Robertson fell off her horse during an event in Wales in 2010. Image copyright Abertay University
An Abertay University athlete who survived a "terrifying" showjumping accident is preparing to compete for Scotland after switching to hockey.
Katie Robertson, from Fife, had been selected to compete for Great Britain when she was seriously injured in a fall at a show in Wales.
Aged 14 at the time, she never regained the confidence to ride competitively.
But the 20-year-old sport and psychology student is now playing hockey at full international level.
Ms Robertson, a former pupil at Kilgraston School, made the Scotland Under-18 team at 16 - just two years after her accident in 2010, which left her unconscious and with a broken shoulder and collar bone.
She said she had refused to let the fall from her horse, Atlantic Swift, put her off pursuing a career in sport.
Ms Robertson (centre) is now playing at full international level. Image copyright Abertay University
"I did ride a couple of times after that but I didn't have the confidence to really go for it," she said.
"I took up hockey because I wanted something to fill up my time and it has just gone on from there.
"We are training just now for World League 3 in Brussels in June and if we reach the quarter-final stages then we qualify for the World Cup in London next year."
The third-year student is on Abertay's elite athlete development programme and is completing her course part-time to allow additional training time for both club and country.
After graduating, the Grove Menzieshill player hopes to stay in sport both as a competitor and a coach.
BBC Tayside & Central News
How Love For Hockey United The Alumni Of Rival Boarding Schools
The love for hockey got alumni from the four boarding schools to organise a tournament-- United 4 Hockey (UFH) Cup with Mayo, Doon, Scindia, Welham and the UFH alumni participating.
Richa Sojatia/Amitoj Singh
The inaugural United 4 Hockey Cup was played at the National Stadium © NDTV
There is a long-running debate on which Indian boarding school is the best. It fuels the evident rivalry between premier boarding schools in the country such as The Doon School, Welham Boys' School, The Scindia School and Mayo College. Though rivalry is part and parcel of school life, it's what actually brought the alumni of these boarding schools for a unique event, hockey playing the unifying factor.
The love for hockey initially got alumni from the four boarding schools to set aside their differences and play together every Sunday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Even late nights on Saturday didn't hamper their sessions! After playing for five years, the next step for the team, comprising of working professionals and aged folk, was to play competitively against school children. They called themselves 'United 4 Hockey' and over time, played against school boys at Doon, Welham and Scindia
Last weekend, they went one step further. They organised, conceptualised, hosted and pulled off a one of a kind tournament -- the inaugural United 4 Hockey (UFH) Cup with Mayo, Doon, Scindia, Welham and the UFH alumni participating.
If the IPL is about 'cricketainment' then UFH attempted to make the tournament 'hockeytainment'. The two-day tournament was played under floodlights at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium with sponsors, parents, hockey aficionados, friends and family having a gala time with food and music as the teams showed off their skills on the field. Even a peacock put up an appearance and almost forced play to stop for a while!
Photo credit: NDTV
The fact that much work needs to be done for the sport in India is reflected how these boarding schools lack an astro-turf hockey field in their premises. With the playing surface changed to astro-turf from natural grass, it's changed the way hockey is played. India is far behind other hockey playing nations in having enough astro turfs in big cities and schools.
The captain of the Welham Boys' School team Shreshtth Jain told NDTV, "This was a great platform for us. We have never played on an astro-turf. So, it was a good opportunity".
Padma Shri Zafar Iqbal was the chief guest for the event. The former India captain and member of the 1980 gold medal-winning team said, "We need to encourage sports in all schools. There are lakhs of schools but none have good facilities for sport."
Arvindanabha Shukla, a senior teacher and hockey master in-charge of The Doon School, told NDTV: "Schools don't give sports the due attention. It is an important part of our lives".
More than 80 students and 40 alumni participated in the UFH Cup. While Mayo College won the final beating Scindia School 2-0, it was a riveting encounter that could have gone either way.
The plan is to make the tournament bigger next year. "Next year we want to get Sanawar School and The Bishop Cotton School to participate in the tournament," said Kunal Sharma, the President of United 4 Hockey.
According to reports, less than 47% of Indian school children get access to less than 60 minutes of playing time per day. Amidst all the pressure put by schools and parents alike to succeed in academics, how can students, who genuinely want to pursue sports, chase their dreams? Perhaps, events like these are an answer.
NDTV